HUMILITY AND THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Consider that God, having created the first man, in order that he might serve him and love him in this life, and be conducted afterwards to reign with him forever in Paradise, enriched him for this end with knowledge and grace. But ungrateful man rebelled against God, refusing him the obedience which he owed him in justice and gratitude; and thus, miserable sinner, was he left with all his posterity as a rebel, deprived of divine grace, and forever excluded from paradise. Behold, then, after this ruin, caused by sin, all men lost! All were living in blindness, or in the darkness of the shadow of death. The devil had dominion over them, and hell destroyed innumerable victims amongst them.
But God, seeing men reduced to this miserable state, was moved with pity, and resolved to save them. And how? He did not send an angel, a seraph; but to show to the world the immense love that he bore, He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. He sent his own Son to become man, and to clothe himself with the same flesh as sinful men, in order that, by his suffering and death, he might satisfy the divine justice for their crimes, and thus deliver them from eternal death; and, reconciling them with his divine Father, might obtain for them divine grace, and might render them worthy to enter into life eternal. Yes! God has visited his people through the Virgin’s fiat. The virgin mother shares her joy with her cousin Elizabeth through her visit and on this account that the baby in her womb leap for joy. The Mother of God waiting on others???
Mary shows that humility means recognizing the good in ourselves, all the while realizing that God makes it possible. Mary teaches that humility does not mean thinking poorly of ourselves. Instead, it means thinking so much of God and others that we do not worry about ourselves. Mary found self-acceptance and happiness in giving herself to God’s service and to care for others. Adam and Eve show that pride is excessive focus on oneself. Mary demonstrates that humility is an expression of the love of God and neighbor.
The love, graciousness, and friendship that characterized the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth invite us to examine the place of these virtues in our lives. The Truth is that if you pray your Rosary daily, and meditate on its mysteries, it will bring down many graces from heaven to you. It will strengthen you to overcome temptation, and to grow holy. It will lead you to heaven, and away from the devil.
To Be Continued…
Mary, Ark of the Covenant, Pray for us!!
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