Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/440

 Mother and  the  worship  of  the  Son.  It  is  because  Mary  is  the  Mother of God  that  she  is  so  full  of  grace,  and  entitled  to  the  love  and  veneration of  all  who  love  and  worship  Jesus;  and  all  the  honour  which  we pay  to  her,  returns  to  her  Divine  Son. On the  other  hand,  those  who despise and  depreciate  Mary  depreciate  thereby  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. The Church  has  added  St.  Elizabeth’s  words  (Blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy womb)  to  the  Angelical  Salutation,  to  prove  that  the  veneration  of  Mary is inseparable  from  the  veneration  and  worship  of  Jesus  Christ.

Mary, a pattern of  charity. Why  did  Mary  hasten  to  visit  her cousin? She loved  retirement,  communion  with  God,  and  solitude;  so it  must  have  been  a grave  reason  which  made  her  leave  her  retired home and  undertake  a long  journey. What were  her  reasons? Firstly, the angel  had  referred  her  to  Elizabeth,  although  she  had  believed  his words without  asking  for  a sign. She therefore  believed  it  to  be  God’s will that  she  should  visit  her  cousin,  and  convince  herself  of  the  truth of the  sign  given  her,  i.  e.  that  Elizabeth  was  about  to  have  a son. Secondly, Mary  knew  well  that  her  cousin  had  grieved  for  many  years on account  of  being  childless,  and  she  knew  how  happy  she  must  be now  that  the  cause  of  her  grief  was  removed. Mary’s loving  heart sympathised with  the  happiness  of  her  cousin; she  desired  to  wish  her joy, rejoice  with  her,  and  join  her  in  praising  God’s  mercy. He who really loves  his  neighbour  has  a loving  sympathy  with  his  joys  and sorrows. Thirdly, Mary,  as  the  holy  Fathers  teach,  wished  to  minister to her  cousin,  and  help  her  in  her  household  affairs.

Prompt service.  Mary  went  to  Elizabeth  in  haste,  because  her loving sympathy  and  desire  to  be  of  assistance  impelled  her  to  go  to her  cousin  with  as  little  delay  as  possible. Her example  teaches  us that  we  should  never  be  dilatory  in  the  performance  of  any  good  work. Let us  never  put  off  till  to-morrow  what  we  can  do  to-day.

The humility  of  Mary. Although  Mary  was  the  Mother  of  God, she hastened  to  visit  her  cousin,  to  congratulate  her  and  minister  to her. And when  Elizabeth  received  her  so  reverently,  and  praised her as  the  Mother  of  God, Mary  called  herself  God’s  handmaid, and gave  all  the  glory  to  Him,  magnifying  His  power,  His  mercy  and His truth.

The Magnificat.  Our  Lady’s  canticle  of  praise  is  called  the  “Magnificat”, because  in  Latin  it  begins  with  that  word. This canticle  of  praise is always  sung  at  Vespers,  and  we  ought  to  join  in  it  with  devotion and joy,  in  thanksgiving  to  God  for  the  gift  of  His  Son,  and  for  all the great  graces  of  Redemption.

Humility in  receiving  Holy  Communion.  Elizabeth  was  quite  right to consider  it  a great  and  undeserved  honour  that  the  Mother  of  her Lord should  enter  her  house. How much  greater  and  more  undeserved