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.
Application. 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.
Chapter III.
THE VISITATION.
[Luke I, 39—56]
MARY, rising up in those days[1], went writh haste into the hill-country [2] to visit and congratulate her cousin Elizabeth. No sooner did Mary enter the house[3] than Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost[4], cried out[5]: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb [6]. And whence is this to
- ↑ Those days. Soon after the angel had delivered his message to her.
- ↑ Hill-country. According to tradition, the little town where Zachary and Elizabeth dwelt lay six miles to the west of Jerusalem. It still exists and is called “St. John in the Mountains" (Fig 62), because St. John the Baptist was born there. The journey thither from Nazareth is one of seventy miles. The road crosses hills and valleys, and it was a difficult journey for our Lady, the rainy season being just over when she made it. According to tradition the Annunciation of the Birth of our Lord was on March 25th, so that Mary’s journey was made during the last days of March.
- ↑ Enter the house. Greeting her with the usual salutation: ‘‘Peace be with thee."
- ↑ Holy Ghost. She already possessed the grace of the Holy Ghost, being, as we read in the first chapter, ‘‘just before God”. But at the salutation of the Blessed Mother of God, Elizabeth received from the Holy Ghost the gift of prophecy, or of supernatural illumination.
- ↑ Cried out. Impelled by a holy joy.
- ↑ The fruit of thy womb. Namely Jesus, the Divine Child.
