Mary: Praying and Proclaiming God's Justice Be Done
Scripture
Luke 1:26-56
Literary
Genre
The book of Luke is a Gospel narrative. This particular account also includes an annunciation story (Mary being told she will give birth to Jesus) and a prophetic hymn. It seems to follow or mirror Hannah’s hymn (from 1 Samuel), but this is also in the tradition of women like Miriam and Deborah.
Author
Luke is known to be the author of this gospel account. Luke was a doctor who traveled with the apostle Paul. He also wrote the book of Acts, which is a sequel of sorts to this book.
Audience
Luke was likely writing to Gentile Christians. He focuses largely on outsiders and outcasts and emphasizes Jesus’ universal mission and the role of the Holy Spirit, while maintaining the roots of Jewish tradition.
Characters
Mary: A young woman from Nazareth, chosen to be the mother of Jesus
Gabriel: The angel who announces God's plan to Mary
Elizabeth: Mary's relative, mother of John the Baptist
Themes
Divine Initiative in the Marginalized
God could’ve chosen a powerful or wealthy woman or family to bring Jesus into the world, and yet God chooses a poor young woman who is humble and faithful. Those on the margins then become central to salvation history.
Continuity with the Prophetic Tradition
In the Magnificat, we see God's priorities contrasting strongly with societal norms and power structures in a way that mirrors the values shown in the Law and the Prophets (even drawing from some of its language).
Justice and Social Transformation
Mary's proclamation seems to indicate not just a later and spiritual dimension of God’s work through the child within her. Rather, she is focused on God's justice and its physical implications for the world in the here and now as well.
Human Agency in Divine Plans
Mary’s role in the story of Jesus shows a way in which God and humans co-labor. Mary’s involvement with Jesus is not passive and not limited to birth. Rather, it goes beyond that. Mary raises Jesus in the tradition that she is intimately familiar with (as evidenced by her song). We see that God and humanity actively cooperate and both initiate in God’s redemptive work.
Language
There’s not a ton of unusual or difficult language here, but I thought it might be more interesting to share with you some of the Scriptural callbacks in the Magnificat and her story to see the alignment of Mary with the tradition and faith:
Isaiah 7:14
2 Samuel 7:12-16
Isaiah 9:6-7
Isaiah 11:1
Isaiah 10:21
Psalm 25:5
Psalm 27:9
Psalm 33:13014
Psalm 66:7
Joshua 22:22
Psalm 50:1
Isaiah 1:24
Leviticus 20:3
1 Chronicles 16:10, 35
Exodus 3:15
Psalm 79:13
Psalm 89:10
Proverbs 3:34
Isaiah 2:11-12, 17
Psalm 107:9
Psalm 136:22
Psalm 25:6
Habbakuk 3:2
Lifetime
Roman Occupation
During this time, it is important context to know that Israel and Palestine were occupied territories by Rome. In this way, there was social, economic, and political oppression. And with that and the promises of God throughout their Scriptures, they also expected and sought eventual liberation. Mary is representative of these ideas in her narrative and song.
Status of Women in First-Century Judaism
Women are underrepresented in Scripture generally, especially using their names and voices. In the same way, women had limited social and legal rights at the time. This makes the inclusion of the Magnificat even more unusual and powerful. Luke mentions women most often of the gospel accounts, which fits with his outsiders emphasis. Though the women he mentions are not always named.
Unexpected Leaders
The gospels often show us stories of subversion. Where there are legalistic and hypocritical religious leaders and greedy or violent rulers, we see in Jesus the peaceful, life-giving, and lived love of the True King of the world and the priest who perfectly mediates for humanity. Over and over, we are confronted with the distinctions between what the world values and what God values. This ground is laid by Jesus’ human lineage – two humble parents of no status or power or wealth – one from the Davidic line (Joseph, his father legally) and one from the priestly tribe of Levi (Mary, his mother).
Lenses
Mary is a model of faithful response and prophetic voice.
The Magnificat as a manifesto of God's justice and social transformation.
Mary plays a key role in shaping Jesus' understanding of his mission of justice and mercy.
Mary's song as a challenge to oppressive systems and unjust power structures in line with the prophetic tradition of Israel.
Woven Together
Mary's narrative, particularly as expressed in the Magnificat, presents a powerful image of a young woman chosen by God who becomes a prophetic voice for justice and transformation. In a society where women, especially young and unmarried ones, held little status, Mary's bold proclamation stands out as a radical act of faith and courage.
The Magnificat serves not just as Mary's personal response to God's favor, but as a prophetic declaration of how God's kingdom will transform human society. Mary's song is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptural tradition, echoing themes from the psalms, prophets, and the songs of women like Hannah. This connection places Mary firmly within the lineage of those who have called for God's justice throughout Israel's history.
In a context of Roman occupation and social stratification, Mary's words about God scattering the proud, bringing down rulers, and lifting up the humble were radically subversive. She proclaims a God who actively intervenes in human affairs to establish justice, care for the marginalized, and fulfill promises made to the ancestors. This is not a passive acceptance of divine will, but an active embracing of God's purposes for the world.
Mary's song shows a deep understanding of God's character and priorities. She lives as though God's promises have real-world implications, and humans have agency and initiative in the divine plan. By accepting her role in God's plan and proclaiming its consequences, Mary participates in shaping the mission that her son will carry out.
Mary's story and song challenge us to align ourselves with God's priorities of justice and liberation. It calls us to raise our voices on behalf of the marginalized and oppressed, to imagine and work towards a world where the humble are lifted up and the hungry are filled with good things. Mary's example encourages us to see our own potential as agents of God's justice, regardless of our social status or perceived limitations.
Conversation Starters
How does Mary's Magnificat challenge or inspire your understanding of prayer and proclamation for justice?
In what ways can we, like Mary, root our calls for justice in our faith tradition?
How might Mary's bold proclamation inform our approach to addressing injustice in our own contexts?
Where do you see examples of God "bringing down the mighty and lifting up the lowly" in our world today?
How can we embody Mary's courage in proclaiming God's justice, especially when it conflicts with dominant societal values?