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February 27th: Mary's Meditations
"Mary kept all these words in her heart."
Each word that Jesus spoke was indelibly printed
on Mary's heart. All that He said was laid up as
a precious treasure that was to guide her life, and
to be ever present to her thoughts. No jewel was
ever half as valuable in the eyes of its possessor as
each word that Jesus spoke was to His holy Mother.
Do I thus value the words of Jesus above gold and
precious stones? How little pains I take to make
my own His sacred words, recorded in the pages of
Holy Scripture? But Mary was not satisfied with merely treasuring up the words of Jesus. She also meditated on them day by day, finding in them continually a fresh fount of sweet refreshment for her holy soul and of food for her daily life. Do I make a similar use of the words of Jesus that I read, or hear in sermons, or do I merely read and listen for my own amusement, or perhaps even to criticize and find fault with what I hear, either with its matter, or with the manner in which it is said? This habit of meditating on Jesus' words was one of Mary's chief means of progress, and advanced at such an unrivaled speed to the loftiest heights of sanctity. The practice of daily meditation on some pious thought, or some word of Jesus, is necessary to all who strive for spiritual advancement. We shall never be the intimate friends of God without it. We must keep the sayings of Holy Scripture in our hearts, we must devote some time each day to meditating on them, if we are to be true children of Mary, and true lovers of her Son.
Music: The Shepherds' Farewell
from L' Enfance du Christ Op. 25 by Hector Berlioz
1. Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling,
The humble crib, the stable bare. Babe, all mortal babes excelling, Content our earthly lot to share. Loving father, Loving mother, Shelter Thee with tender care! 2. Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee With humble love and holy fear. In the land that lies before Thee, Forget not us who linger here! May the shepherd's lowly calling, Ever to Thy heart be dear! 3. Blest are ye beyond all measure, Thou happy father, mother mild! Guard ye well your heav'nly treasure, The Prince of Peace, The Holy Child! God go with you, God protect you, Guide you safely through the wild! |