With wonder will I speak of Mary while I stand in awe, because the daughter of earthly beings has ascended to such a high rank.
Now did grace itself bend down the Son to her, or was she so beautiful that she became the Mother of the Son of God?
That God descended on earth by grace is manifest, and since Mary was very pure she received Him.
He looked on her humility and her gentleness and her purity, and dwelt in her because it is easy for Him to dwell within the humble.
”On whom will I gaze except the gentle and humble?” He looked on and dwelt in her because she was humble among those who are borne.
Even she herself said that he looked on her lowliness and dwelt in her, because of this she shall be extolled, for she was so pleasing.
Humility is total perfection, so that when man beholds God, then he behaves humbly.
For Moses was humble, a great one among all men; God went down to him on the mountain in revelation.
Again humility is seen in Abraham, for although he was just, he called himself dust and ashes.
Again, also, John was humble, because he was proclaiming that he was not worthy to loose the sandals of the Bridegroom, his Lord.
By humility, the heroic in ever generation have been pleasing, because it is the great way by which one draws near to God.
But none on earth was brought low like Mary, and from this it is manifest that no one was exalted like her.
In proportion to lowliness, the Lord bestows manifestation; He made her His mother and who is like her in humility?
Mar Jacob of Serug: Homily Concerning the Blessed Virgin Mother of God, Mary