Luke 1:49Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Here, in this moment, we listen to Mary’s profound exclamation: 'Make me greatness Strong;' yet we observe no indication of greatness in her or in her surroundings. What do you mean, O humble Virgin? Why do you not fear such an exalted proclamation about yourself? How will your declaration come to fruition? Who will accept it? We, the disciples and worshippers of the Word through whom all creation came to be, recognize the power of the Divine Word. It entered the womb of the holy Virgin Mary, so it became powerful in her utterance and truly established her as the Queen of heavenly majesty, which even here on earth we behold and to which we bow in reverence.

Thus, it is that the Strong and Great God bestows true greatness upon those who humbly acknowledge their own lack of strength and smallness. The blessed Virgin, magnifying God for her elevation, echoes the words of the Psalmist, known to her from worship and scripture, who cries to God: 'O my God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Thy power to the generation to come. Thy might and Thy righteousness, O God, even unto the heights, which Thou hast made me great.' What constitutes greatness? The Psalmist further elaborates: 'When Thou hast shown me many troubles and adversities and hast revived me, and brought me up from the depths of the earth: Thou hast multiplied Thy majesty upon me' (Psalm 70:18-21). By reflecting on these words, we see that 'majesties' in Holy Scripture refer to the miraculous and beneficial works of God toward humanity, unveiling God’s immeasurable greatness and imbuing humanity with a measure of greatness.

Whether we consider greatness in status and power, in intellect, in spirit, or in deeds, we can, following the Psalmist and the example of the Blessed Virgin, confidently declare to this generation that the Almighty creates forms of 'greatness,' and that, without Him, frail humans cannot hope to attain any self-created notion of greatness. Let us inquire of lofty, expansive, insightful minds and noble hearts, filled with reverence for God and love for others, pure to the point of detachment from worldly desire: who has instilled these forms of greatness in you? Nature? Yet nature is not an autonomous creator; it is simply an instrument wielded by the true Creator, God. Education? Education itself does not create; it only shapes the inherent qualities, directs abilities, and channels energies that exist independently of education. Experience? But how many individuals, despite significant experiences, remain small like the earthly past, while in others, the humble seed of greatness, akin to the Gospel parable of ‘the mustard seed’ (Luke 13:19), rapidly grows into a magnificent tree?

If we concede that education and experience reveal and elevate the spirit, we must further ask: who provides such educators and education—often sought in vain—who sends significant experiences and guides the inexperienced, and at times even the helpless, if not the One who, having created all things through the creative Word, as testified by the divine Word, ‘does everything until now’ (John 5:17), for He is the One who 'upholds all things by the word of His power' (Heb. 1:3). Without His providence, we cannot even affect the smallest change, as we are reminded, 'we cannot make one hair white or black' (Matt. 5:36).

If God, through His providence and grace, creates in humanity a greatness of spirit that is not merely imagined—fleeting like a shadow when faced with challenges—but rather is true, enduring, and capable of withstanding trials, ought we not recognize that God also cultivates that greatness manifested by actions driven by extraordinary wisdom and the indomitable spirit, guided by noble intentions and yielding beneficial results? The soul lacking in greatness often ascribes all accomplishments solely to itself, fearing that if it relinquishes any credit not belonging to it, its smallness will be revealed; yet those of greater stature, acknowledging their insignificance in the face of their deeds, readily attribute much to God and His sovereign will.

'From the heavens stars fought,' sings Deuteronomy, commemorating the triumph over Sisera, 'from their courses they fought against Sisera' (Judg. 5:20). Did not the prophetess proclaim this, elevating the courage of her own actions while attributing part of the glorious victory to the intervention of celestial powers, which brought devastating storms upon the enemy? No! She declared the profound truth that all visible feats are accomplished under divine guidance, with invisible assistance. What a significant deed it was when Gideon, equipped with merely three hundred men, routed and decimated the Midianites and Amalekites, who were 'as numerous as locusts, and their camels without number'! But the success of this mighty act hinged on a mere dream recounted by an enemy soldier. 'And it came to pass that Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation; and he worshipped the Lord, and returned to the camp of Israel, and said, Arise; for the Lord has delivered into your hand the army of Midian' (Judges 7:12-15). This seemingly small occurrence was orchestrated by the great God; without it, humanity’s monumental task would have faltered.

What then should we say about the greatness intrinsic to a title? If such a title is earned through noble deeds that benefit humanity, it stands clear that this greatness, too, was created by God, the one who supports and empowers significant actions. If it is inherited, who, if not God, 'blesses the generation of the righteous; wealth and riches shall be in his house, and his righteousness endureth forever' (Psalms 111:2-3). God conferred royal greatness upon David, the humble shepherd; He chose Solomon as his successor; He upheld Rehoboam, spares him from ruin; He protected the lineage of the infant Joash from treachery; He established it forever upon the throne of Jerusalem, amidst the blessed, albeit not equally noble, lineage of David; while the kings of Israel, who arrogantly sought greatness without the true God, faced the downfall of their entire line, cast aside like leaves blown off a decaying tree, all succumbing to the storms of tumultuous times. To all generations and to every great one on earth, the singular, uncreated wisdom of God, which brings forth all things, proclaims: 'By Me kings reign, and nobles decree justice; by Me princes rule, and the righteous govern the earth' (Proverbs 8:15-16).

God has fashioned greatness for the lineage of our tsars, the Russian line, and has recently reaffirmed it with Nicholas, who reigns over us. Consider the events preceding this year's beginning—whose fulfillment we now commemorate—what was done to honor this noble greatness? The king had departed; the heir was in hiding; and discontent brewed in secret, undermining the throne’s foundation. Yet God, who defies expectations, 'raised up a chosen one from among His people' (Ps. 88:20); He set him in the greatness of inheritance by ancestral law, alongside the rare greatness of selection among his two elder brothers, and endowed him with a spirit mighty enough to vanquish opposition through the very appearance of His coming, along with wisdom and benevolence that uplifted him and will continue to uplift him—not merely in thoughts, names, and words, but in the hearts and minds of his loyal subjects; ultimately, following enduring trials, the merciful God has 'multiplied' upon him and upon us the 'majesty' of His blessings through his joyful and peaceful coronation and sacred anointing.

Now, blessed Russia, cry out, 'Create greatness for me, O Strong One!' But do not fail to remember to invoke the words of the Blessed One: 'holy is His name!' Sanctify and ceaselessly honor the name of your God, giving thanks for the magnitude of His blessings, praying for the King, and holding to righteousness. Sanctify the name of the God who has exalted you, not solely with devout words, but with a humble heart, abiding by His holy commandments in all things and every aspect of life, so that the Strong One may preserve and expand your greatness. Amen.

Nevertheless, the Lord took notice of her lowly condition; thus, all generations to come will honor her as the mother of the Redeemer, the Messiah. Mary's exaltation is a manifestation of God's omnipotence, which is why she calls Him mighty in her praise. The latter part of verse 49 and verse 60 transition to the glorification of God for the salvation of the people of Israel, elaborated in verses 51-55. This transition offers a general reflection on the holiness of God and His infinite mercy towards those who seek holiness and work toward their salvation with reverent awe. This same holiness and mercy of God, extended to future generations who honor Him, forms the basis of what He has accomplished through the Messiah for Israel, as mentioned in verses 54-55 concerning the mercies promised to Abraham and his descendants forever. Here, Mary discerningly anticipates what is already fulfilled. In the latter portion of her hymn, the discourse shifts to indirect, general expressions (verses 51-53), before specifically identifying the humble and the hungry in verses 54-55, whom God will elevate from their humbled condition by showcasing His omnipotent power. This clearly delineates the proud, the strong, and the wealthy—representatives of the Gentiles who dominated the world, particularly over Israel. Until this moment, it appeared the Lord had completely forsaken and abandoned His people, allowing the Gentiles to hold sway over them; yet now He embraces them once more, fulfilling the mercies He promised to Abraham and his lineage, extending into eternity through the Messiah, the eternal King seated on David's throne.