7th Day — Mary's Life in the Temple
Here will I dwell, for I have chosen it. (Psalm cxxxi. 14.)
1. Let us watch this tender little maiden in her daily life in the Temple. How exact in her obedience to all her superiors! How punctual in the performance of every duty! How full of charity for her little companions! How she delights to anticipate the wishes of those who represented almighty God to her! How she rejoices in the most menial offices! How she retires during her leisure to pray in secret! When I examine my daily life, does it at all correspond to hers?
2. What is it Mary is continually praying for? That God would hasten the coming of the Messias, and that, if it were God's will, she might be thought worthy to be the handmaid of His Mother. It never entered into her wildest dreams that she was the chosen one, who was to usher into the world the Saviour of the world. Thus it is that the holiest always esteem themselves as worth nothing. If I were more holy, I should be more humble.
3. What a joy it is to Mary to take part in the sacred psalmody of the Temple! As she sings the praises of God it seems to her that she is in heaven, singing with the angels. How sweet her voice sounds in the ears of God, sweeter than all the music of the heavenly choirs! What is it gives such surpassing beauty to her song? It is her heavenly purity. Blessed are the pure in heart. Their voice always sounds sweet as it rises in prayer or praise to God.
Virgin of all virgins.
To thy shelter take us.
Gentlest of the gentle,
Chaste and gentle make us.
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