trials and hardships of this life, with the blessed prospect of enjoying God forever hereafter in heaven. Nor must we mistake false hope for the true — we must not be content with the hope of the fickle or the unjust. Of the former we read in the book of Wisdom that it is as " the smoke that is scattered by the wind, or as the recollection of a passing guest." In other words, there is nothing firm or lasting in the hope of the unjust — as the smoke goes through the chimney and then disappears, so the hope of the sinner goes with him through life, and no further, while the hope of the just rises to the very throne of God. Finally, our hope must be practical like Mary's, for God has commanded us not only to hope in the Lord but also has said: " Hope in the Lord and do good."
Over the foundation and the walls of our spiritual mansion we lay the roof of charity — charity, whose proper function it ever is to shield and to cover — charity, which holds the highest place among the virtues; and charity was possessed by Mary in an eminent degree. For if the highest charity knows not fear, look at Mary among the soldiers at the foot of the cross and learn how much she loved. If to lay down one's life for one's friend is the supreme test of love, judge the extent of Mary's love who gave up her only Son, dearer to her than life, and that, too, for His enemies and her own.
Such was the temple of faith, hope, and charity that Mary erected to her Lord, and therefore did He choose her for a habitation for Himself — and since Christ has promised that whosoever ministers
