Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/119



Preparatory Prayer  (p. 95).

he effect  of  the  angel's  salutation  on  Mary was striking. Imbued with  sentiments  quite different from  ours,  she  was  troubled  at  the  praise addressed to  her. Meanwhile she  is  silent  and considers within  herself  what  might  be  the  meaning of  these  words. And now  the  angel  calls  her by name,  saying,  "Fear  not,  Mary,  for  thou  hast found  grace  with  God.  Behold  thou  shalt  conceive in  thy  womb,  and  shalt  bring  forth  a  son, and  thou  shalt  call  His  name  Jesus.  He  shall  be great,  and  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Most High,  and  the  Lord  God  shall  give  unto  Him  the throne  of  David  His  father:  and  He  shall  reign in  the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever,  and  of  His  kingdom there  shall  be  no  end"  (Luke  i.  30-33).

et us  admire  the  prudence  shining  forth  in Mary. After hearing  the  angel's  words  of praise  she  was  silent  and  thought  within  herself what kind  of  a  salutation  this  was. She is  very careful and  prudent. On this  her  conduct  St. Thomas  Aquinas  remarks:  "Mary  did  not  refuse to  believe,  nor  did  she  receive  the  message  with