The Social Theology of Mary’s Magnificat
JR and I have finished our reading of Luke’s Gospel. As I read it aloud to her, I have been mental-bookmarking sections which Luke was connecting Jesus’ ministry and his social theology.
Mary’s Magnificat is significant, in that Luke seemed to be presenting elements of class struggle.
Mary began with a reflection of her own inferior social standing and how God’s act on her life overcame the stigma of being in the underprivileged class. The proud, the rulers and the rich; the bourgeoisie, here presumably the oppressors of the lower class and not all wealthy people, were scattered, brought down and sent away empty – God was not on their side. On the other hand God has a biased for the have-nots, the humble (inferior) and the hungry, he is with them and will uplift them.
In the Magnificat, Luke had Mary spoke as if God’s promise to Israel has been fulfilled. This is interesting, especially when considering the co-relation of the Magnificat and the Annunciation. The angelic announcement to Mary was that the child to be born is not mere prophet of religion, but a king, in the line of David the great king. Therefore, Mary said, or sang, according to tradition, that the good news of King Jesus’ coming, was a good news especially to the oppressed people, to the inferior class while a judgement to their oppressors.
The good news or the gospel is the reversal of fortune, which serves as a warning to the upper class and a hope to the inferior class. I do not think it was meant to romanticize the poor or the working class. Good and evil are not differentiated by individuals but by the thin line in each our hearts. But rather, the prophetic proclamation of the Magnificat looked forward to a new social structure where justice and righteousness prevail, signified not least by a just and righteous socio-economic transformation.
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed
for the Mighty One has done great things for me-
holy is his name
His mercy extends to those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever
even as he said to our fathers. (Luke 1: 46-55)
The Virgin Mary of the Annunciation by Fra Angelico
I am a true-blood Penang "kia" (son of Penang) who love everything about my beautiful home-state, well, almost everything. :)
Formerly I served as the Special Assistant to the Penang State Executive Councillor (State-level ministerial post) in charge of Youth and Sports. I am now pursuing an MA in Philosophy at a local university.
I am also the Executive Secretary of the Network of Social Democracy in Asia (www.socdem.asia) and sit on the committee of the State-sponsored Good Governance and Gender Equality Society (3Gs). Since 2007, I also served in various capacities in the office of the Hon' Madam Chong Eng, a leading Malaysian woman Parliamentarian.
Politically, I had the privilege to help manage four successful political campaigns since 2007 and was involved in planning, campaigning and monitoring of eight state and federal level elections in Malaysia.
I am engaged with the love of my life, Jorin. Both of us worship at the Bukit Mertajam Gospel Centre.
