I received this question from a friend:

    In the praise of the Virgin Mary, what did she mean when she said, “He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.” What did she mean by the word scatter?

The key to answering this question is by understanding what it means to be arrogant or pompous.

Arrogance comes from the mind. It’s a feeling that I am above everyone else and more important. It’s the feeling that everything I am is because of who I am, not because God has given me everything. I believe that I deserve the utmost esteem and respect, more than what I already have and more than what people give me.

Arrogance is the feeling that I am better than others. Nothing will succeed without my expertise. I will not tolerate if anyone discounts me or tarnishes my image.

I do not go after anything less than the spotlight. Serving the poor doesn’t suit me. Seeing what they need and spending time with them aren’t things I want to spend time doing.

This type of person always concentrates on themselves, everything revolves around them.

The seed of arrogance comes from either within or from an outside source. It could be Satan or some people. When we agree with it, it finds a dwelling in our hearts and minds. These types of people may repeat certain phrases like, “I’m weak” or “I’m a sinner” but when a person tries to talk to them about something to change or advise them they change 180 degrees. They never see themselves doing anything wrong. Even on the occasions where they can’t hide it, they try to justify their wrongdoing.

By contrast, a humble person always sees him/herself as not worthy. All his talents and possessions are from God. God is the reason for his successes. The Lord works in him as if he is a clay vessel where He puts all His blessings. This is the mind of a humble person. A humble person believes he is less than everyone and weak, but God works in his weakness and supports him. Meanwhile many people may see him as a saint and an outstanding person, but he doesn’t see any of that. He still sees himself as less than everyone. As St. Paul said, “not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor 15:10).

This feeling of meekness is grace from God. We need to ask Him repeatedly to bestow it upon us.

From here, we can understand the meaning of “scattered the proud". They think of themselves as the best and brightest and sit in the front rows. They seek public displays of grandeur. They fight for positions of splendor and impressiveness. They’re the opposite of the humble. The humble sit in the back rows, behind others. So They are glorified by God, while He puts down the proud.

Scattering means they fell. They have become weak, their strength is no more. They lose everything they have from power and respect because they always wanted glory from men but never asked for God’s glory.

As an exercise, thank God for everything you have at all times. Always say to Him, from your heart, "You are the reason for all my blessings, because You have given me everything. Thanks and glory to You O Lord."