Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/94

 mighty king,  and  the  whole  line  of  the  kings  of Juda. On her  mother's  side  she  belonged  to  the tribe of  Levi,  and  was  descended  from  its  noblest and most  prominent  family,  that  of  Aaron  the High Priest,  and  was  therefore  a  relative  of  the High Priests  of  the  Old  Testament. Thus royal and sacerdotal  prestige  distinguished  Mary's lineage.

he Blessed  Virgin  was  not  proud  of  her  illustrious ancestry,  and  not  depressed  because  of the  downfall  of  her  family,  but  applied  herself diligently to  adhere  to  the  faith  and  follow  the example of  her  ancestors. Remembering the wicked members  of  her  family,  she  learned  from them that  temporal  greatness,  success,  wealth, and glory  are  more  dangerous  to  virtue  than poverty, retirement,  and  work. Let us  imitate Mary's example. Even possessed  of  the  most excellent prestiges  of  the  natural  order,  of  ourselves we  are  nothing. "What hast  thou  that  thou hast  not  received?  And  if  thou  hast  received, why  dost  thou  glory  as  if  thou  hadst  not  received?" ( 1 Cor.  iv.  7. )  Therefore  do  not  overestimate yourself;  do  not  be  conceited;  do  not strive for  praise,  honors,  and  high  station;  be  not boastful or  arrogant;  do  not  presume  on  your merits; rather  be  distrustful  of  yourself  and patiently bear  affronts,  neglect,  and  humiliations.