Luther's Commentary on the Magnificat

Luther's Commentary on the Magnificat: an ecumenical "narrowing of the gap"

It is interesting to note Martin Luther's beautiful commentary on the Magnificat. His Holiness John Paul II himself quoted Luther during the audience on March 21, 2001. John Paul II emphasized the importance of narrowing the gap between the different Christian religions by reaping the fruit of an ecumenical understanding of Mary's Magnificat:

"The visit to Elizabeth is sealed by the canticle of the Magnificat, a hymn that has come down through all Christian centuries as a perennial melody: a hymn that unites the hearts of Christ's disciples beyond the historical divisions, which we are committed to overcoming in view of full communion. In this ecumenical atmosphere, it is good to remember that in 1521 Martin Luther devoted a famous commentary to this "holy canticle of the Blessed Mother of God", as he expressed it.

In it he says that the hymn 'must be learned well and remembered by all', because 'in the Magnificat Mary teaches us how we should love and praise God.... She wants to be the greatest example of God's grace in order to spur everyone to have trust and to praise divine grace.'"[1]

[1] M. Luther, Scritti religiosi, edited by V. Vinay, Turin 1967, pp. 431-512

John Paul II

Luther's Commentary on the Magnificat

The "Mary of Nazareth" Project

"A Moment with Mary"