Humility And Favour

Ecce, inquit, ancilla Domini, contingat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Vide humilitatem, vide devotionem. Ancillam se dicit Domini, quae mater eligitur: nec repentino exaltata promisso est. Simul dicendo, nullam sibi praerogativam tantae gratiae vindicavit, quae faceret quod juberetur. Mitem enim humilemque paritura, humilitatem debuit etiam ipsa praeferre. Ecce, inquit, ancilla Domini, contingat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Habes obsequium, vides votum, Ecce enim ancilla Domini, apparatus officii est: contingat mihi secundum verbum tuum, conceptus est voti. Sanctus Ambrosius Mediolanensis, Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam, Liber II Source: Migne PL 15.1558d-1559a

Behold, she said, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word. 1 Observe the humility and devotion. She names herself the handmaid of the Lord who is chosen as a mother, not suddenly being exalted by the promise. When it is said, she boasts not of the prerogative of such grace, she who did what she was bid. Meek and humble she was who was to give birth, her humility it was that gave her favour. 'Behold,' she says, 'the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.' You have the deference, you observe the vow, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord,' she is prepared for the office, and 'Be it done to me according to your word,' she receives the promise. Saint Ambrose, from the Commentary On The Gospel of Saint Luke, Book 2 1 Lk 1.36