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Zambia honored a 16-year-old girl for her efforts to educate the children in her country. Teens often see needs or injustice and want to make it right. That was true of Mary the mother of Jesus. Her poem in Luke 1 reveals her idealism. She said, “Oh how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows his mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.” Mary saw arrogant people taking advantage of others and longed for God to bring them down. She noticed how princes–high-handed soldiers –took advantage of people; she wanted God to dethrone them. She saw how the rich ignored the hunger pains of the poor; she wanted God to send them away hungry. Her desire to address injustices caused Mary to say the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant.” By saying “yes” to God, she became God’s agent for bringing God’s righteous ruler, the Messiah, into the world.
