September 8

Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin

Preparation. - “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising,” asks the Holy Ghost (Cant. 6. 9). We shall know by the greatness of her destiny. Wherefore let us consider, first, Mary’s destiny and ours, and secondly, the duties flowing therefrom for her and for us. Let us renew our willingness to correspond faithfully to divine grace, ands we shall thereby reach the holiness to which we are called. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy” (Eph. 1. 4).

I. Mary’s Destiny And Ours

Mary, at her birth, was called by God to sanctify herself and to labor for the salvation of mankind. For this purpose she received, from her very Conception, a capital of grace far superior to that of the angels and saints combined, a capital capable of making her the most exalted of creatures, the universal Mediatress between heaven and us. As the Mother of God and the Mother of men, she must be equal to these two prerogatives by a supereminent holiness and a power of intercession equal to our wants.

As Daughter of the Father and Spouse of the Holy Ghost, it behooved her to acquire the most sublime virtues and to become a channel worthy of the designs of her heavenly Spouse, who wishes through her to sanctify fallen human nature. Her perfection should, in fine, correspond to the splendor of the throne prepared for her at the right of her divine Son. Does not such a destiny require gifts and privileges as exquisite as those Mary received, and likewise a sublime fidelity proportionate to these prerogatives, just as the spotless Virgin actually practiced?

We also, with due proportion, have come into the world to sanctify ourselves and lead others to salvation. For this object God endowed us in baptism with a capital of faith, hope, charity, virtues and heavenly gifts, which we are to invest profitably. To these He has added many privileges; that of brethren of Jesus Christ and adopted children of God; that of union and resemblance with our Saviour, the mystical vine and our adorable model; that of substantial and permanent dwelling of the Holy Ghost in us.

In such conditions and with the actual graces daily granted us, we can easily fulfill our destiny. Have we done so hitherto? Alas, how many deserved reproaches may not God address to us! Already from our boyhood and our youth, and later on have we not, forgetful of our final end, acted as if we were independent of God, and followed our won will, our won notions? Let us deplore these wrongs and resolve to redouble our fervor during the short time that separates us from eternity.

O my God, preserve me from the misfortune of resisting Thy light, Thy attractions and Thy inspirations. At one time Thou urgest me to shun such and such a danger, such a reading, such a person, such a loss of time; at another, Thou awakenest in me the desire of watching, praying, of mortifying such and such a defect. Alas! how often I do not heed such invitations to acts of virtue! Had I corresponded therewith from my childhood, I would have already acquired the perfection of the saints. Grant that I may be perfectly faithful in recollecting myself, in listening to Thy voice and in obeying Thee in all my actions and conduct.

II. Mary’s Duties And Ours

From Mary’s sublime dignity flowed her obligation to correspond therewith every moment of her life on earth. Hence she never lost the smallest part of time during her admirable life, for she employed it wholly and uninterruptedly in producing the most beautiful acts of virtue. Let us be more exact: from her Immaculate Conception until her holy death, her life was as a single act always increasing and perfecting itself until it reached the most perfect union, that ever was, with the supreme Good.

Although we can never come near so perfect a model, are we not at least obliged to try to imitate her? God has given us the present life as a treasure to be spent, not according to our whims, but solely according to His intentions and designs concerning our soul. He demands of us continual striving after and labor for our perfection. What would we say of a servant who received a sum of money from his employer for his support, and who would spend it for trifles, or to gratify his passions? What is then to be thought of us, who waste our time in tepidity and frivolity, instead of devoting it to our sanctification?

Our life is given to us also as a field to be cultivated. Each day resembles a furrow wherein we sow our thoughts, desires, intentions, affections and all our works. What we sow germinates, grows and bears fruit, good or bad, according to our dispositions. The good becomes a harvest of merits for eternity; the bad becomes the cockle destined by divine justice to be burnt. It behooves us, therefore, to sow always in accordance with faith and grace.

Wherefore let us imitate the holy Child Mary, whose birth we celebrate this day, and, like her, let us consider, first, our Creator as our first beginning and our last end, by unceasingly thanking Him for His benefits and referring every thing to His glory; and secondly, let us live in constant union with Him, a union based on humility and on faith in His greatness; a union strengthened by confidence in Him and surrender to His guidance, and perfected by filial love ready for every sacrifice.

O Virgin, already holy at thy entrance into the world, do not disdain me, but make me pure in the sight of the Lord. As thou didst, and together with thee, I consecrate to Him all my mind, all my heart, all the moments of my life. Deign to teach me always to think on Him, and to direct to Him all my aspirations and all my doings. Aid me especially to offer to Him my every trial and willingly to suffer for His love.