Doctrinal Clarity, Not Change: Unpacking the Note on Marian Titles

Since the Gospel readings this year are coming from Luke, I thought I would take an early peek. Luke’s writing has a number of themes but one of the more interesting is his focus on the Great Reversal. As we anticipate the return of Jesus Christ, we are assured that the Kingdom of God, in its fullness, will turn everything that we now know upside down. Some of the areas Luke specifically focuses on are wealth, power and privilege. God has promised that those at the bottom in this culture on earth will be placed at the top in the life to come. Luke discusses the Great Reversal a number of times but initially in the Magnificat (1:46-55). Mary and her family are poor and powerless in the eyes of the civil government but God selects her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary also learns, through the Angel Gabriel, that her cousin Elizabeth is with child. Upon visiting Elizabeth, Mary proclaims in 1:46-48, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaiden’s lowliness.” Later in verses 1:51-53, she says, “He has thrown down rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.” It appears that Mary is talking in the present tense but Biblical scholars note that prophets frequently make declarations about the future in the same way because they are confident in the promises of the Father. She is indicating a future event and she is convinced that God will fulfill this promise. Two themes emerge hear that can be used to encourage us to look for the future that is to come. God will upset the world order. We know that those in power do not simply mean those who are elected or self appointed, like presidents and dictators. It is also those who feel that they are unable to believe in our God because of their intellectual abilities. Very often, the folks that deny the existence of God are in fact the leaders in their fields. Many times the Christian point of view is dismissed by these so called experts who belittle faith and religion based on science. They declare themselves intellectually superior and proclaim that religion is for the less educated, the needy, and the poor. If you are feeling powerless in the current state of the world, this scripture and Mary’s prophesy should bring you great comfort. Our time will come. The arrogant and proud who are not open to the call of God because of their sense of security and well-being will not allow God’s mercy into their lives. The second theme is a warning to all of us that we must remain humble and lowly. We should seek to be last in the things that count. Give of your time to others first. Minister to the poor in your area. Visit the sick and those who are mourning. Stand up for those who are insulted and denounced. As Jesus tells us in 6:23, “Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.”