Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/122

 privilege, or  dispensation,  when  she  might  lawfully  have done so. Oh that  you  would  imitate  her  conduct,  even in things  which  you  are  obliged  to  perform! Her profound humility  dictated  the  propriety  of  concealing  her mysterious conception,  and  the  birth  of  her  Son,  and  of being  considered  unclean. Be ashamed  of  your  pride, which prompts  you  to  wish  for  the  esteem  of  others  and the reputation  of  sanctity,  whilst  you  ought  to  acknowledge yourself  a  sinner,  as  did  the  Prophet:  "  We  are  all become  as  one  unclean;  we  are  fallen  as  a  leaf,  and  our iniquities  like  the  wind  have  taken  us  away." (Is. lxiv.  6.)

III. Consider her  incomparable  purity,  in  which  virtue, although she  excelled  every  other  creature,  still,  from  a desire  of  becoming  more  pure,  she  performed  the  ceremonial purification  which  the  law  required  in  others. Learn hence  to  cherish  that  virtue,  and  continually  to. improve in  it,  however  perfect  you  may  conceive  yourself to be. Ponder, in  fine,  her  singular  devotion  in  hastening to  the  temple,  to  offer  in  a  solemn  manner  to  the eternal Father  His  and  her  only  Son. Mark this  conduct, and imitate  it,  as  often  as  you  are  present  at  the  solemn sacrifice of  the  Mass.

I. "After  the  days  of  her  purification  were  accomplished, they  carried  Him  to  Jerusalem,  to  present  Him to  the  Lord." (Luke ii.  22.)  Ponder  the  acts  of  virtue, which the  divine  mother  exercised  on  this  occasion,  viz., of faith,  devotion,  and  thanksgiving,  towards  God;  and of charity,  in  relation  to  mankind,  for  whom  she  offered her own  son. Reflect how  the  divine  Infant  rejoiced that the  moment  had  arrived  which  He  had  so  earnestly