My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
This teaching discusses the meaning of glorifying God and magnifying His name, explaining that glorifying the Lord is one of the fundamental virtues of Christian life and an essential part of the prayers, hymns, and praises of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It emphasizes that God does not need human beings to glorify Him, because He possesses complete and eternal glory; rather, human beings need to acknowledge God’s greatness in order to benefit spiritually. God’s glory is revealed in the greatness of creation, the order of the universe, and the precise formation of the human body and its organs, inviting us to contemplate the power and wisdom of the Creator. The angels, saints, and all creation also glorify God, acknowledging His holiness, greatness, and authority.
Spiritual Message
The teaching explains that standing before God requires humility, reverence, and an awareness of His greatness, because His glory exceeds the ability of human language to express and describe it. When a person acknowledges God’s greatness, that person recognizes their own weakness and need for Him and becomes free from pride and self-glorification. The teaching presents the example of the tax collector who stood at a distance, did not dare to raise his eyes toward heaven, and asked for God’s mercy with humility, in contrast to the Pharisee who boasted of his deeds and virtues. It also emphasizes that a person should not attribute glory to themselves because of their talents, successes, or service, but should attribute every good thing and blessing to God, because He is the source of every good gift.
Educational Lesson
The teaching explains that glorifying God is not limited to the words we repeat in prayer, but also includes a person’s conduct, actions, and way of treating others. The Church has arranged its prayers, hymns, and rites to help believers remember God’s presence and develop inner reverence. The Lord’s Prayer also begins with petitions that glorify God, such as hallowing His name, the coming of His kingdom, and the fulfillment of His will, before moving on to requests for human needs. The teaching also demonstrates the importance of respecting everything related to God, such as the church, the altar, the Cross, and the Holy Bible, because outward expressions of respect help a person develop reverence in the heart and spirit.
Practical Application
The teaching invites us to prepare for prayer with a quiet heart, a focused mind, and attentive senses, and to stand before God with reverence befitting His presence. It also encourages us to practice kneeling, prostration, and bowing in a spirit of humility, not merely as physical movements, but as expressions of the heart’s humility before God. We should praise and glorify God through the prayers and hymns of the Church and dedicate the Lord’s Day to worship, service, and glorifying His name. We should also perform good deeds without seeking people’s praise and turn any praise directed toward us into thanksgiving to God, who has given us strength and ability. The teaching emphasizes the importance of a life of thanksgiving, humility, and avoiding self-glorification, so that God’s glory may be revealed in our lives and deeds.
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