Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/81

 mility, in  the  words  of  the  admirable  Canticle  Magnificat, Remark that  she  does  not  entertain  Elizabeth  with  the same praises  which  she  had  received  from  her,  as  worldly principles would  dictate;  nor  does  she,  from  a  dissembling pretence  of  humility,  as  worldlings  generally  do, deny the  favors  which  she  had  received:  she  refers  all  to God,  and  ascribes  nothing  to  herself. Learn hence,  that it is  not  real  humility  to  deny  or  dissemble  the  natural or supernatural  gifts  which  we  possess. You must,  however, acknowledge  that  they  proceed  from  the  mere goodness of  God, — not  from  yourself  or  your  own  deserts; and  you  must  refer  to  Him  all  the  praise  and  honor resulting from  them,  and  usurp  nothing  of  them  to  yourself.

II. In this  Canticle  we  are  taught  two  important  lessons: First,  to  rejoice  and  delight  in  God  alone  and  in those  things  which  appertain  to  our  salvation,  and  not  in the  vanities  and  pleasures  nor  in  the  praises  and  favors  of the  world. It was  God  alone  who  had  "  done  great  things" to the  blessed  Virgin,  and  who  daily  does  great  things for His  Church. " He  alone  is  mighty,  His  name  alone is  holy,  His  mercy  is  from  generation  to  generation,  to those  who  fear  Him." (Luke i.  49.)  Not  to  those  who contemn Him,  and  provoke  His  anger  by  their  sins. Examine in  what  things  you  take  the  most  delight,  and whether you  be  in  the  class  of  those  who  "  rejoice  in most  wicked  things." (Prov. ii.  14.)

III. The second  important  lesson  which  we  are  taught in the  Magnificat  is,  that  humility  is  a  virtue  of  the  greatest efficacy. It was  so,  1,  in  regard  to  the  Virgin  herself; for  it  was  the  foundation  of  all  her  greatness. She acknowledges it  herself  when  she  says,  "He  hath  regarded the  humility  of  His  handmaid:  for  behold,  from henceforth  all  generations  shall  call  me  blessed." 2. It