Magnanimity, or greatness of soul, inspires one to work for God’s greater glory. Rooted in the Jesuit motto, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam which translates as for the greater glory of God, magnanimity entails a deep and zealous striving to make God known, loved, and served, honoring and bringing others into an encounter with God’s greatness.
Employing the gifts God has bestowed on me, magnanimity spurs acts of heroism, generosity, and creativity to glorify God and magnify His greatness. In a simpler way, magnanimity embodies the spirit of continuous improvement and an ongoing pursuit of excellence. It means doing more, serving more, giving more, and being more for God. The magnanimous person embraces hard work and trials, accepting that the greatness for which God created him/her requires effort.
Finally, magnanimity compels one to “perfect the works of virtue” (Sri, 2009), enhancing the employment of faith, hope, charity, prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice.
Today's Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary offers us one of the best examples of magnanimity possible. Without having anything more than an angel's response that "nothing will be impossible for God" (Luke 1:37) Mary faithfully accepts the call that God has placed on her life, "May it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
From there she sets out on mission. She goes to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who also found great favor with God, and this encounter causes John the Baptist to leap with joy inside of his mother's womb (Luke 1:44).
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| Karl von Blaas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
From even this early stage of Mary's fiat, God magnified His greatness through Mary's willingness to bring Christ to the world.
Mary's Magnificat stands a powerful witness to the way that God can use each of us to magnify His greatness through our faithful service to His call: "My soul magnifies the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior" (Luke 1:46-47).
When we proclaim God's goodness, His greatness is magnified.
Like Mary, as we say yes to God's call, He deploys us to bring others into contact with His greatness. More people experience His love, justice, and peace. More structures and systems within our world more closely resemble the Kingdom of God here on earth.
When we disperse the arrogant of mind and heart, lift up the lowly, and fill the hungry with good things (Luke 1:51-53), we magnify God's greatness.
When, like Mary, we allow God's purpose to interrupt our plans, we magnify God's greatness.
When, like Mary, we allow God to stretch us so that more of His greatness can come into the world, we magnify God's greatness:
Humans were created for greatness - for God himself; we were created to be filled by God. But our hearts are too small for the greatness to which they are destined. They must be stretched. (Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, 2007, #33)
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
For the magnanimity of God.
