Gods compassion on her has revealed both His power and His holiness (Mighty One, holy is His name, v. 49). It is my opinion that the town in which Elizabeth and her husband lived was merely a village, too. Catholic Online. Luke . Marys praise began with her own experience, but quickly linked this with Gods character and actions in the past (His ways) and then with His covenant and promises regarding the future. New International Version (NIV). Luke 1:39-56. For less than $5/mo. In verses 46-49, Mary praises God for His mercy as expressed toward her. (O)53He has filled the hungry with good things(P)but has sent the rich away empty.54He has helped his servant Israel,remembering to be merciful(Q)55to Abraham and his descendants(R) forever,just as he promised our ancestors.. * [1:52:52] Like the Gospel according to Matthew, this gospel opens with an infancy narrative, a collection of stories about the birth and childhood of Jesus. 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. She would, by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit, become pregnant, and her holy child would be called the Son of God (v. 35). Marys praise was addressed to God, but in adoring God she also encouraged and edified Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise encouraged her. (1) Mary is a model disciple in her faith in the word of God, and in her submission to the will of God. 30Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. The Lord is with you.'. 57. We arent told that the angel informed Mary that the child which was to be born to Elizabeth was to be the forerunner of Messiah. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. 59 Now it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother spoke up. The Wonder Of Christmas. Luke does tell us that Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country (1:39), which would suggest that there was not sufficient time for any communication to have occurred. 56And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. As the writer to the Hebrews put it. They forget that all pious Israelites from their childhood days knew by heart songs from the Old Testament and often sang them in the home circle and at celebrations. Nevertheless, it is our conviction that the principles of the New Testament church are as relevant and binding today as they were in Pauls day. 39-56) by informing us that Mary returned home after three months (v. 56). Is Divorce And Remarriage After Abuse, Neglect, Financial, Or Emotional Issues Okay. Bible. She must have been very devastated upon seeing Jesus died but she understood the truth. We need by read the final chapter of the book of Proverbs to see that women, at least biblically, were given great privileges and responsibilities. Rather than having to try to explain to Elizabeth what the angel had said to her about the virgin birth of her son, Messiah, Mary learned that Elizabeth already knew. They were not, however, the themes of the scribes and Pharisees. 63 The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' He is cast, moreover, in the role of the Old Testament fiery reformer, the prophet Elijah, who according to Mal 3:23 (Mal 4:5) is sent before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.. If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. 38Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Neither, Elizabeth, Mary, nor Luke refer to the fetus in Marys womb, while we are specifically told that John leaped in his mothers womb when Elizabeth heard Marys greeting (Luke 1:41). In the Gospel, Elizabeth tells Mary, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Luke 1:45) Gosh, there are so many examples in the world around us where that demonstrate a lack of belief in Jesus' words. 18 In our study of the book of Jonah, we concluded that Jonah typified the sin of Israel by his lack of compassion, his disobedience, his self-righteousness, and his refusal to repent. ', 34 Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?'. Mary saw her blessing as but an illustration, one instance of Gods grace, which leads her to praise God for His grace to all those who fear Him, from one generation to generation. The immediate faith and submission of Mary, a simple and very young peasant girl, to the will of God is contrasted with the hesitant request of Zachariah for a sign, a man who was a priest all his many years of life. 16and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. We but need to believe and to accept Gods work, but we must leave the working to Him, and not to ourselves. In verse 48 her blessedness is viewed as the result of Gods grace. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him. The language of our praise should betray a continual soaking in the Scriptures and meditation on the terms and theology of the Bible. 23Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. * [1:14] The Gospel according to Luke is the only one of the synoptic gospels to begin with a literary prologue. 18Then Zechariah said to the angel, How shall I know this? B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975 [reprint]), p. 84. It is true that Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord (1:42), and that future generations will bless her as such also (1:48). Both reach out in love and rejoice in the work of God in their live. She would have been separated from Joseph, while at the same time being chaperoned by Elizabeth and Zachariah. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. (H)From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)49for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for meholy is his name. (4) In verses 51-55, Marys praise focuses on the faithfulness of God to His promises and His purposes, especially His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. 11the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Composition Narrative. The Canticle of Zechariah. There is no provincialism to be found in her praise. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.i 52 He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly. Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were both descendants of Aaron (v. 5), and were righteous in the sight of God (v. 6). (5) Elizabeth praises God for much more than those things that Zachariah was told. Mary understood the great themes of the Old Testament, such as Gods mercy and compassion, Gods concern for the poor and the helpless. Just as Marys response surpasses that of Zachariah, so the greatness of the miracle of the virgin birth of Messiah will exceed the miracle which produces a son for the elderly priest and his wife. (3) In verse 50 Marys praise broadens, viewing Gods grace to her as a reflection of His gracious purposes for His chosen people, Israel. 2. Mary may not be all that some have held her to be, but she is a magnificent model of discipleship. Mary dwells on the character of God, particularly His grace, which is bestowed on the humble and the oppressed. God does the work of producing life in us, just as He brought about life in Mary. Version. She looks backward, to the covenants which God has made with Abraham and with His people in the Old Testament. She is a woman who grasps the Word of God, who meditates upon it, and who is obedient to it, both in its imperatives and in its inferences. Now, it would appear that both mother and child were both filled with the Holy Spirit simultaneously. I believe that Charles Talbert is correct in viewing Mary as a model disciple.21 Let us consider some of the ways in which Mary provides us with a model of discipleship. 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke was a doctor and therefore a man of science and research, and this is reflected in his history of the life of Jesus. (6) Mary is a model disciple in her evident reflection and meditation on the things of God. While we are not specifically told that Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit when she spoke these words, we may surely assume so. 15 FRom the first word of her hymn of praise in the Vulgate translation, this hymn is known as the Magnificat. From the earliest times it has been used in the praises of the Christian church. Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, The New International Commentary on the New Testament Series (Grand Rapids: Wm. Father Luis, as we affectionately know him, is a Catholic Diocesan Priest, from Tucuman, Argentina . 4so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Gabriel had informed Zacharias that the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mothers womb (Luke 1:15). Zacharias faith wavered, and he consequently asked for some sign, some proof that the promise of the angel would be fulfilled. Our praise tends to focus primarily on what God has done for us. Lk 1:76 where John is described as prophet of the Most High. Most High is a title for God commonly used by Luke (Lk 1:35, 76; 6:35; 8:28; Acts 7:48; 16:17). Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. get to know the Bible better! 37for nothing will be impossible for God.r Romans chapter 7). 3I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, . What is your spiritual relationship to God? 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? By every indication, Luke was a Gentile. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. (7) Mary is a model disciple in that her praise was not only a personal expression of worship, but also was edifying to Elizabeth. Let us bear in mind, however, that Luke has not told us this was the case. The very moment she entered the house and gave a customary greeting, Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Some may question how a simple peasant-girl may have such a grasp of the Old Testament. As I have studied Marys psalm of praise it occurred to me that her theology was like that of her Son, and likewise, that it was very different from that of the scribes and Pharisees. Mary understood that the good news of Messiahs coming would result in great social reversals. 4 so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. There is no such thing as a purely 'spiritual' love. Mary did not mention the Law of Moses, the Mosaic Covenant, but only Gods promise to Abraham, the Abrahamic Covenant. Elizabeths words far surpass the revelation which we are told Gabriel gave to Zacharias. (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Too often, I fear, we find ourselves performing before others, using our praise to speak to men, to convey some message to them, rather than to God. Elizabeth was not restricted to the level of spirituality of her husband, nor did the fact that the public expression of her worship was limited keep her from experiencing the greatest intimacy with her God. 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? And so, too, will the greatness of Messiah and His ministry surpass that of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Messiah. in 1971. 43And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. 24After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. . The fact that the worship of these women was more restricted than that of men is no hindrance to their spiritual growth and development. The hungry will be fed and the well-fed will be hungry. 70even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,m, 73and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,p. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. As the apostle Paul put it, let all things be done for edification (1 Cor. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,s After indicating his purpose for writing this gospel in verses 1-4, Luke immediately commenced his account by introducing Zacharias, the father-to-be of John the Baptist. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. 42 She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. There were now two witnesses. Because of this, the practices of our church stand out, and are considered very offensive to many women, and some men. "And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.'". It is my personal opinion, however, that she is no just a mere mouthpiece for the Holy Spirit, who has had no knowledge of what God was doing. Marys Magnificat focuses on much more than just her own blessing in the bearing of Messiah. Probably he did this because Mary has already been presented in Lk 1:38 as the obedient handmaid of the Lord who fulfills the requirement for belonging to the . 72 and show faithful love to our ancestors, and so keep in mind his holy covenant. 17 The term which is rendered city (a city of Judah, v. 39) is one that is very broad, and does not really indicate the size of the place. Used by permission. This is evident in the blessing pronounced by Elizabeth, which subtly contrasts the belief of Mary with the unbelief of Zacharias: And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord (Luke 1:45). Holy is his name. We will begin by focusing on Elizabeth, as Luke does, and on her response to the arrival of Mary, the mother-to-be of Messiah. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and He continued in to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:51, emphasis mine). The other, Mary, responds to this word of prophecy in her song saying: "All generations will call me blessed" (Lk 1 : 48). She viewed history in the light of this plan. New International Version (NIV). 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j All rights reserved. First, it should be noted that there are several things which Luke has not told us, which we might like to know, but will not find in this inspired account. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. 46And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;49for he who is mighty has done great things for me,and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on those who fear himfrom generation to generation.51He has shown strength with his arm,he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,52he has put down the mighty from their thrones,and exalted those of low degree;53he has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent empty away.54He has helped his servant Israel,in remembrance of his mercy,55as he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.[b]. 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