Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Mary breaks out in the Song of the so-called “Magnificat,” after she greets her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, who was previously barren in her old age. The Magnificat is a wondrous song of praise and thanks to God for what He has promised and done, for what He is doing in her lifetime, and what great salvation this child will effect in His lifetime.
Mary begins with the first great Promise: Mercy! It is given as a conditional promise: if you fear Him then mercy will be upon you. Mercy is actually extended to every sinner who ever lived, as Jesus died for all, but it is received and actualized by those who “fear God,” that is, believe Him. The Good News is that the Spirit creates the faith (fear of God) along with the hearing of the Gospel. Thus the hearer has received mercy.
Mercy is actually “earned” by Jesus and then given to us for free. Mercy is “on them that believe.” Mercy covers them, as a shroud or a fog. Mercy swarms over them, surrounding and filling. Mercy chases them until it tackles them. Mercy restores, fixes up, repairs, renews, and works together for good. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Mercy is an extremely powerful force that arises from the most powerful force in Creation, God’s Love.
No one is excluded from mercy because of when or where he was born. It is “from generation to generation,” extended to all peoples until the end of the age. This means personally that mercy is for me. Jesus is the Mercy of God for me. Mary could see it and praise God. So can we.