Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/437

 mankind:  Mary,  by  her  humility,  was  herself  exalted,  and  through  her Divine Son  gave  grace  and  life  to  the  world. As far  as  she  could, Mary paid  the  debt  owed  by  Eve  to  the  human  race. Eve was  the mother of  the  curse:  Mary  of  the  blessing. She is  the  true  mother  of the  living,  the  new  and  better  Eve. These striking  contrasts  are,  of course,  the  result  not  of  accident,  but  of  the  action  of  the  mysterious wisdom and  counsel  of  God,  and  they  teach  us  to  value  God’s  merciful Providence.

Do you  say  the  Angelus  regularly  three  times a day? Do you  uncover  your  head  when  you  hear  the  Angelus-bell  ring? Always repeat  the  Hail  Mary  very  devoutly. Salute our Lady  with  as  much  reverence  as  did  the  holy  angel. And while you  are  saying  the  Angelus,  meditate  on  Mary’s  humility, and on  the  love  of  the  Son  of  God  who  became  Man  for love of  us.

ARY, rising  up  in  those  days,  went  writh  haste  into  the hill-country to  visit  and  congratulate  her  cousin  Elizabeth. No sooner  did  Mary  enter  the  house  than  Elizabeth,  filled  with the Holy  Ghost,  cried  out :  “Blessed  art  thou  among  women, and blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy  womb. And whence  is  this  to