The Way of Humility
Luke 1:46-48: "And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.'"
After Mary's humble and obedient response to the angel Gabriel came her proclamation known as The Magnificat. This song was one of great praise and modeled after the psalms of praise. Mary began this song by rejoicing in the Lord then telling why she was rejoicing in the Lord. The Lord saw her; he knew her; and he honored her even in her humble state. It is important to note that Mary saw herself just like everyone else - in need of a Savior. The Lord did not come to her because of her greatness but because of her humility. As he often does, God took what the world would consider weak to work his miraculous power.
Paul continued to develop this theme in his letter to the Corinthians: "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'" (1 Corinthians 1:27-31). Jesus left his authority and glory to come dwell among his people. Because of his humility and work on our behalf, we can share in his glory. What Paul wanted the church in Corinth to understand was that all the glory was due God, from God, and for God not them. God chose them despite their lack of glory.
In this world today, we often feel the need to assert ourselves and to prove our value. Pride runs rampant, as does insecurity, because we so often compare ourselves to the neighbors or the model servants at church. The Scriptures teach us another way - the way of humility, obedience, surrender, and trust. What if we embraced the attitude of Mary? What if we embraced Mary's model of surrender to the Lord? What if we emulated Mary's trust? Mary didn't ask God for a blueprint of how he would work his plan in her and through her. She submitted, she obeyed, and she trusted that all generations would call her blessed. May we do the same!
Reflection:
Do you struggle with pride or the assertion of your will, the desire prove yourself as worthy? What would the Lord have you learn from the model of Mary?
After Mary's humble and obedient response to the angel Gabriel came her proclamation known as The Magnificat. This song was one of great praise and modeled after the psalms of praise. Mary began this song by rejoicing in the Lord then telling why she was rejoicing in the Lord. The Lord saw her; he knew her; and he honored her even in her humble state. It is important to note that Mary saw herself just like everyone else - in need of a Savior. The Lord did not come to her because of her greatness but because of her humility. As he often does, God took what the world would consider weak to work his miraculous power.
Paul continued to develop this theme in his letter to the Corinthians: "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'" (1 Corinthians 1:27-31). Jesus left his authority and glory to come dwell among his people. Because of his humility and work on our behalf, we can share in his glory. What Paul wanted the church in Corinth to understand was that all the glory was due God, from God, and for God not them. God chose them despite their lack of glory.
In this world today, we often feel the need to assert ourselves and to prove our value. Pride runs rampant, as does insecurity, because we so often compare ourselves to the neighbors or the model servants at church. The Scriptures teach us another way - the way of humility, obedience, surrender, and trust. What if we embraced the attitude of Mary? What if we embraced Mary's model of surrender to the Lord? What if we emulated Mary's trust? Mary didn't ask God for a blueprint of how he would work his plan in her and through her. She submitted, she obeyed, and she trusted that all generations would call her blessed. May we do the same!
Reflection:
Do you struggle with pride or the assertion of your will, the desire prove yourself as worthy? What would the Lord have you learn from the model of Mary?
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