The Magnificat Commented by Saint Irenaeus

Saint Irenaeus (ca. 130-202) known as the great theologian of Salvation History.

With perceptive intuition, Irenaeus recognized the connection between Abraham’s exhilaration and the exultation of the Blessed Virgin, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Abraham’s exultation was passed on to those of his descendants, who saw Christ and believed in him.  Abraham rejoiced for himself as well to think that he would see the coming of the Messiah (cf. Jn 8:56). [1]

Furthermore, Irenaeus saw the Blessed Virgin of the Magnificat who celebrated the Redemption in singing, as the one that rejoiced and prophesied on behalf of the Church:

“Because He has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed… He would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all those who hate us, and show faithful love to our ancestors, and so keep in mind his holy covenant.  This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham” (Lk: 71-73). [2]

 

Interestingly, for Irenaeus the Magnificat inextricably bridges Israel and the Church, the Old and the New Testament.

With her canticle, Mary is on the one hand the synthesis and speaker of the exultation of her people Israel, and on the other, the prophetic anticipation of the joyous experience of the Church of Christ.

This fuller view of the canticle of Mary is the consequence of the central position that the Virgin occupies in the plan of Salvation.

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[1] Adversus Haereses IV, 7, 1: SC 100

[2] Adversus Haereses 3, 10,2: SC 34

A. Gila