Luke 1:48Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Mary receives daily praise from all: Blessed is she who is truly filled with the Holy Spirit. Consider the words of the Virgin as she prophesies about herself: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has regard for the lowliness of His servant; surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:68, 48). By declaring her humility, she symbolizes the role of Eve by stating that though she has been lowly, all generations shall honor her henceforth. But what does it matter to her if she does not hear this adulation? In truth, she perceives in every form, for in the realm of light and in the land of the living resides the Mother of our salvation, the Source of sensual illumination—sensual in terms of the flesh and spiritual concerning divinity.

And therefore she says, all generations, not only Elisabeth, but also every nation that believed.

O true lowliness, which hath borne God to men, hath given life to mortals, made new heavens and a pure earth, opened the gates of Paradise, and set free the souls of men. The lowliness of Mary was made the heavenly ladder, by which God descended upon earth. For what does regarded mean but “approved?” For many seem in my sight to be lowly, but their lowliness is not regarded by the Lord. For if they were truly lowly, their spirit would rejoice not in the world, but in God.

For if as the Prophet says, Blessed are they who have seed in Sion, and kinsfolk in Jerusalem, (Isa. 31:9. apud LXX.) how great should be the celebration of the divine and ever holy Virgin Mary, who was made according to the flesh, the Mother of the Word?

Recognizing that many others take pride in the blessings bestowed upon her, Mary exalted the Lord, proclaiming: ‘From now on all generations will call me blessed.’

But why was she lowly and cast down, who carried in her womb the Son of God? Consider that lowliness, which in the Scriptures is particularly praised as one of the virtues, is called by the philosophers “modestia.” And we also may paraphrase it, that state of mind in which a man instead of being puffed up, casts himself down.

She does not call herself blessed from vain glory, for what room is there for pride in her who named herself the handmaid of the Lord? But, touched by the Holy Spirit, she foretold those things which were to come.

For it was fitting, that as by the pride of our first parent death came into the world, so by the lowliness of Mary should be opened the entrance into life.

The Holy Orthodox Church has consistently affirmed its belief that the Holy Spirit came upon the pure Virgin, who is referred to as the Bride of Christ, elevating her as the Mother of God. This pure Virgin is graced, unsurpassed by nature and transcending it, and she received the Holy Spirit's divine grace for her sustenance and joy. The profound experience of divine grace detached the Virgin from earthly pleasures, filling her with complete and resolute aversion to the flesh. This is the essence of what a sacred temple of God, a spiritual heaven, and His holy abode ought to embody. Mistaken thoughts often lead to a series of additional misconceptions.

"Consider the lowliness of His servant." This phrase may have originated from her own sentiment; yet, it is cited here, appearing in the words of Annas. Certainly, God acknowledged her virtues, but His focus was particularly on her humility. It seemed as though His attention rested on this admirable quality. This humility was not merely external—though she lived in poverty and was unknown—but was predominantly a matter of the heart. One can be outwardly impoverished yet proud within. "Truly, from now on all generations will call Me blessed": I was obscure in the past, but now, as the Mother of the Messiah, I will be a source of blessing to all, for My Son will be a wellspring of blessings. Mary perceives that Providence bestows remarkable honor upon her title.

She adores her Savior, who has graciously acknowledged her lowliness, filled with profound joy. While all nations may refer to her as blessed, she declares that her legacy lies in humility, and the mystery realized within her solely demonstrates the omnipotence and goodness of God, who has consistently and will ever continue to safeguard His people and oversee their enjoyment of the abundant gifts promised to the faithful.

In this reverent hymn, the Blessed Virgin, setting aside any consideration of her own merits, glorifies the Almighty who regards the lowliness of His Servant (Lk. 1: 48). She rejoices in her divine appointment as the Mother of the Messiah and, with prophetic insight, anticipates that for the grace bestowed by her Lord, she will be honored and lifted up by all nations who have faith in her Son throughout all generations. She acknowledges that God's mercy will reach those who revere Him and honor His Holy Name, and that the promise made to Abraham has been realized. She recognizes that the Kingdom of the Messiah has already arrived, assuring that His followers, though scorned and persecuted by the world, will ultimately prevail.

From this point forward, all generations will revere Me. The Blessed Virgin anticipates that She will be honored by all for the remarkable mission to which She is entrusted: for the Mighty One, whose essence is holiness, will demonstrate His strength upon Her, uplifting Her from a state of lowliness while humbling the proud and affluent who rely on their might. The beginning of this prophecy was witnessed during the Savior's earthly ministry (Luke 11:27) and was fully realized at the time of Her Son’s glorification.

Sin manifests as a lack of affection towards the Mother of God, who is rightfully called blessed by all creation. The Mother of God is deserving of our deepest affection, second only to God, due to her virtues that surpass those of angels. No one, apart from God, cares for us as she does; she holds close to her heart all that is precious to her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, including the souls of sinful humanity, reflecting her unique purity and heartfelt compassion. For the truly devout individual, sincere love for the Mother of God is an essential quality. As one's piety deepens, so too does their love and reverence for her, the Holy Queen of Heaven.

"Looked upon" signifies His gracious focus, a visitation marked by His mercy and grace. The "humility of His servant" conveys true humiliation; it reflects the previous ignorance surrounding the Virgin's lineage, as well as her poverty and outward modesty. However, this does not exclude the profound moral essence of humility, which is complete surrender to God’s will. "All generations shall please Me" highlights the shift from the Virgin’s prior obscurity and ignorance; from this moment onward, as she is chosen to bear the Savior of the world, all generations, every person, every nation—all humanity that believes in their redemption through her Son, who is God incarnate, will honor, bless, and exalt her as the Mother of God.

On Wednesday, a service is conducted in celebration of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos. The Prokeimenon features the words from the song of the Theotokos: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in my Savior God.” Verse: “As He looks upon the humility of His servant, behold, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed.” Through these words, the Virgin Mary joyfully exalts the Lord, who has lifted her from profound humiliation to remarkable glory, so that all peoples will honor her as the Mother of God.