| Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord working in her soul |
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My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.
With these words Mary first acknowledges the special gifts she has been
given. Then she recalls God’s universal favours, bestowed unceasingly
on the human race.
When a man devotes all his thoughts to the praise and
service of the Lord, he proclaims God’s greatness. His observance of
God’s commands, moreover, shows that he has God’s power and greatness
always at heart. His spirit rejoices in God his saviour and delights in
the mere recollection of his creator who gives him hope for eternal
salvation.
These words are often for all God’s creations, but
especially for the Mother of God. She alone was chosen, and she burned
with spiritual love for the son she so joyously conceived. Above all
other saints, she alone could truly rejoice in Jesus, her saviour, for
she knew that he who was the source of eternal salvation would be born
in time in her body, in one person both her own son and her Lord.
For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Mary attributes nothing to her own merits. She refers all her greatness
to the gift of the one whose essence is power and whose nature is
greatness, for he fills with greatness and strength the small and the
weak who believe in him.
She did well to add: and holy is his name, to
warn those who heard, and indeed all who would receive his words, that
they must believe and call upon his name. For they too could share in
everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of the
prophet: and it will come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the name she spoke of earlier: and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.
Therefore it is an excellent and fruitful custom of
holy Church that we should sing Mary’s hymn at the time of evening
prayer. By meditating upon the incarnation, our devotion is kindled, and
by remembering the example of God’s Mother, we are encouraged to lead a
life of virtue. Such virtues are best achieved in the evening. We are
weary after the day’s work and worn out by our distractions. The time
for rest is near, and our minds are ready for contemplation.
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