The Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary: A Pathway to Divine Wisdom
Humility, a virtue often overlooked in our world today, lies at the heart of true spiritual greatness. It opens the door to God’s wisdom, as Proverbs reminds us, “Where there is humility, there is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). In embracing humility, we recognize our dependence on God, acknowledging our limitations and making room for His transformative grace. No one exemplifies this humility more perfectly than the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose profound trust and openness to God’s plan changed the course of history. Her example teaches us that true greatness is found in surrendering to God’s will.
The Call to Humility in Scripture
In Sacred Scripture, humility is presented as a prerequisite for receiving God’s wisdom and guidance. Saint James encourages, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10). This theme is echoed throughout the Bible, illustrating that when we let go of self-reliance and pride, we become more receptive to God’s voice. For Mary, this humility is vividly demonstrated in her response to the angel Gabriel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In this moment, she opens herself completely to God’s will, modeling for us the path of humble surrender.
Mary’s Canticle: A Song of Humble Joy
In her Magnificat, Mary magnifies the Lord’s greatness, expressing her joy and awe at His works: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47). She recognizes her own lowliness and marvels at how God has “regarded the lowliness of His handmaid” (Luke 1:48). Mary’s humility is not self-doubt but an honest acceptance of her human nature before God’s majesty. She rejoices in her smallness because it makes space for God’s greatness. This profound humility leads her to proclaim, “He has scattered the proud…he has lifted up the lowly” (Luke 1:51-52), highlighting the paradox that God often works through the humble to reveal His glory.
The Catechism on Mary’s Humility
The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes the importance of Mary’s humility in God’s plan. It teaches that Mary is “full of grace” because of her unique calling and her readiness to give herself fully to God’s will (CCC 490-494). Her humility was not merely passive but an active cooperation with divine grace. According to the Catechism, her fiat, her “yes,” was spoken with complete freedom and humility, allowing God to work through her in a way that she never could have achieved on her own (CCC 494). In this surrender, she becomes the mother of Jesus, the Savior, and a powerful example of trusting humility.
Saintly Reflections on Mary’s Humility
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux spoke profoundly about Mary’s humility, referring to it as “the foundation and guardian of all virtues.” He writes, “As she was lowly in her own eyes, so she was precious in the sight of God” (Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles). This humility did not just enable Mary to accept the Incarnation but allowed her to walk faithfully beside Jesus throughout His ministry, all the way to the foot of the Cross. She teaches us that humility is not weakness but strength; it is the key to enduring suffering with faith and accepting joy with gratitude.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta also revered Mary’s humility, saying, “Mary, give me your heart, so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate; your heart so full of love and humility.” Her prayer reflects a desire for Mary’s complete trust in God, a trust that allowed her to accept both the joy and sorrow that her role would entail.
Humility as a Path to Divine Wisdom
Humility, then, is the posture of the soul that allows us to hear God’s voice. It is not merely a virtue but a path to divine wisdom. When we stop focusing on our own strengths and abilities, we make room for God’s wisdom to work within us. Saint Augustine famously said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Following Mary’s example, we can open our hearts to God’s plan, knowing that He will exalt the humble in His time and according to His purpose.
The life of the Blessed Virgin Mary serves as a radiant example of humility as a foundation of spiritual greatness. Her quiet acceptance of God’s will, her joy in her own lowliness, and her profound trust in divine providence offer us a model to follow. May we, like Mary, seek to glorify God in all things, recognizing that true greatness lies not in exalting ourselves, but in humbly surrendering to His will. Let us pray for the grace to say with Mary, “Be it done unto me according to your word,” and trust that in our humility, God will work wonders beyond our understanding.
