The humble one has all the spiritual fragrances: simplicity, meekness, boundless love, kindness, lack of wickedness, power of sacrifice, obeisance and all the rest. He has all the spiritual wealth because he showed spiritual neediness.
He is pious and quiet and that is why he relates to that One who is full of grace, to Maria, the Theotokos, who had great humbleness.
Although she had in her womb the incarnated God, she did not speak until Christ spoke himself when He reached thirty years of age.
At the greeting of the angel she answered: I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled (Luke 1:38).
She did not say: I shall become The Holy Mother of God. Theotokos for her humbleness is worshipped as the second in rank after the Holy Trinity
Rejoice, You who are god after God, the second following the Holy Trinity, says saint Andrew of Crete. To be servant and bride of God in the same time! To be virgin and mother in the same time! To be a creature of God but in the same time Mother of the Creator! These are great supernatural mysteries, which cannot be explained, only lived!
What icon of the Theotokos do you like the most?
I like all the icons of Theotokos. If I see her name written somewhere I kiss it piously for a several times and my hearts leaps out with joy. It is something fearsome when you stay and think! She was only a girl when she said:
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 (Luke 1:46-48).
So many meanings in only a few words ! You receive much help if you deepn yourself in these few powerful words. If you study them you will love humbleness and if you humble yourself, you will see God dwelling within yourself and making from your heart the crib of Betlehem.
Source: Pious Paissios the Athonite, Passions and Virtues, Evanghelismos Publishing, p. 166.
