Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/73

 transfixed with  the  sword  of  sorrow. Mary is  not exempt from  tribulations  and  adversity;  but  one thing God  does  not  permit  to  touch  her,  i.e.,  sin. Hence Holy  Church  applies  to  her  the  words, 'Thou art  all  fair,  O  my  love,  and  there  is  not a spot  in  thee"  (Cant.  iv.  7).

lthough we  were  not  preserved  from  sin like Mary,  yet  God  in  His  ineffable  goodness and mercy  granted  us  the  grace  to  be  cleansed from sin  and  to  be  clothed  with  the  garment  of sanctifying  grace  in  Baptism. No treasure  of  the world can  be  compared  with  this  prerogative. But as  we  bear  this  grace  in  a  fragile  vase,  we must  be  most  careful  to  protect  and  preserve  it in  ourselves  and  others  from  all  danger. Let the Blessed Virgin  Mary  be  our  example. Well knowing the  inestimable  value  of  the  grace  conferred upon  her,  she  guarded  it  with  the  greatest care. Although exempt  from  concupiscence  and "full of  grace,"  she  was  so  distrustful  of  herself as if  she  were  in  continual  danger. How much more, then,  must  we  use  precaution  to  preserve  in ourselves  and  in  others  this  treasure  of  grace, since we  feel  in  ourselves  constantly  the  law  of the  flesh,  which  resists  the  law  of  the  spirit,  and urges us  on  to  evil,  whilst  the  world  and  the  devil never weary  in  placing  snares  for  us  in  order  to accomplish  our  ruin. Therefore let  us  have  re-