Gabriel stands at the head of "all generations." When he was delivering GOD'S message he called her blessed. Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Ghost, did the same. And yet there are those to-day (and their name is legion!) who think it would defile their lips to speak of the _Blessed_ Virgin Mary! Can it be that they do not believe that GOD did great things for her? Can it be that they _prefer_ to be among the proud whom He scatters in the conceit of their heart, among the mighty whom He puts down from their seat, among the rich whom He sends away empty? Can it be that they refuse to listen to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Who tells them that Mary is blessed among women? And yet they sing the _Magnificat_, which tells them how ready GOD is to "exalt the humble" and to "fill the hungry with good things." O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of GOD, pray for all those who honour thee by singing thy _Magnificat_, that they may honour thee also by understanding it. Grant that they too may fulfil thy prophecy--"All generations shall call me blessed"--and get in return the blessings thou art so ready to bestow on thy children. Before I go on, let me ask myself to what extent I am copying my Mother in at once passing on to GOD all praise that may come to me? He it is Who does all for me, and in me, and by me; and the more He gives, the more He ought to get. He knew it would be so with Mary, and therefore He could trust her with "great things." He knew that He would have all the glory. Let me see how much I take into account GOD'S glory. Is it my first motive and object? If He gives me some little thing--for example, an "original" thought, a happy idea, a solution to a problem, some word to help another--is my first thought to thank Him and to praise Him because this will bring glory to Him? Is it not rather to go and tell it to someone else--to quote my words and deeds--not with the object of edifying others (Satan, to quiet my conscience, tells me that this is the reason), but of gaining glory and praise for myself out of something that is not mine at all? Thus do I rob GOD of His glory, deliberately taking for myself what belongs to Him! Oh, my Mother, teach thy child what real humility means, and that _all_ praise belongs of right to GOD. _Point II._--A FLAME OF JOYFUL LOVE This is the name that St Bernardine gives to Mary's fourth word--"_Flamma amoris jubilantis_." Her love for GOD was so strong that it made her burst out into this joyful song of praise. She could no longer keep to herself all that GOD had done to her; she must tell others; she was so full of joy that she must sing GOD'S praises. And all her love and joy found expression in the _Magnificat_--a song of thanksgiving for the Incarnation--a song which showed clearly that Mary's joy was caused by the glory that was given to GOD by the Incarnation.