One of the ways to clearly determine a work of God is by assessing the weakness of the instrument in contrast to the magnitude of the results. What weaker instrument than a poor, simple maiden from Nazareth? What greater result than the Son of God himself come to bring salvation to all mankind?
This concept is so beautifully reflected in the Magnificat.
My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit finds joy in God my savior,
for he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness;
all ages to come shall call me blessed.
God who is mighty has done great things for me,
holy is his name.
He has shown might with his arm,
he has confused the proud in their inmost thought..
He has upheld deposed the mighty from their thrones
and raised the lowly to high places.
The hungry he has given every good thing,
while the rich he has sent empty away.
He has upheld Israel his servant,
ever mindful of his mercy;
Even as he promised our fathers,
Promised Abraham and his descendants forever.
Mary, you fully understood your weakness as God’s instrument and the magnitude of the Incarnation. Calling on the traditions of your ancestors, you gave glory to God’s might, recognizing that what was unfolding within and around you was due solely to his power and mercy. Your trust in him was so complete that it overflowed from your heart in unbounded rejoicing.
I too, am a weak instrument in God’s hands. It’s difficult for me to really trust in him and to allow him to show me the magnitude of the results of what is unfolding within and around me. Mary, fill my heart to overflowing with unbounded rejoicing in God’s might!