It is only those who do not understand the Incarnation who stumble over
this statement. What could be more natural? If He chose to redeem the
world through Mary, to do all His great works which depend on the
Incarnation--such as the foundation of the Church with all her
Sacraments--through Mary, is it strange that when I want to help the
King in His works, I should do the same and put my little gifts for the
King into her hands? Rather would it be strange if I wanted to work on a
different plan from my King's. She is the _Janua coeli_, _the Turris
Davidica_, _the Sacrarium Spiritus Sancti_; the Tabernacle where He was
incarnate for me. Through her and by means of her, He hands me all the
graces I receive. What more natural than that I should make use of such
a messenger to take back my offerings? And do they lose in the
transaction? Surely they must gain, first because she will purify them
and add to them her own merits and graces, and secondly because a gift
presented by His own Mother cannot but be enhanced in value.
Blessed Grignon de Montfort says: "God has chosen her for the treasurer,
steward and dispenser of all His graces, so that all His graces and all
His gifts pass through her hands; and according to the power she has
received over them, as St. Bernardine teaches, she gives to whom she
wills, as she likes, and as much as she likes, the graces of the Eternal
Father, the virtues of JESUS Christ and the gifts of the Holy Ghost." We
may, if we like, "do all our actions with Mary, in Mary, by Mary, for
Mary, in order to do them more perfectly with JESUS, in JESUS, by
JESUS, and for JESUS, our Last End."[1]
If I am a child of Mary in anything more than in name, I shall not
hesitate to use this great privilege which is offered to me, knowing
that by so doing, not only will the value of my prayers and penances and
actions be enhanced in God's sight, but my merits and graces will be
increased. Mary will see to it that her children who thus trust her have
a Benjamin's portion.
_Colloquy_ with Mary, asking her to obtain for me during this waiting
time the grace to trust her with all my secrets for her Son.
_Resolution._ To dwell "with the King for His works" to-day.
_Spiritual Bouquet._ Janua coeli, ora pro nobis.
"THE LORD IS NIGH"
"Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice.
Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be
nothing solicitous; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made
known to God. And the peace of God which surpasseth all
understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ JESUS."
(Phil. IV. 4-7).
(The "Epistle" for the Third Sunday of Advent).
_1st. Prelude._ Before the Tabernacle.
_2nd. Prelude._ Grace to remember the Presence of God.
The Lord is nigh because by His grace He is within us, because by His
omnipresence He is "not far from every one of us" (Acts XVII. 27),
because in the Blessed Sacrament He is with us "all days, even to the
consummation of the world" (St. Matt. XXVIII. 20) and because it may be
_to-day_ that He will come in judgment. In consequence of this nearness
of our God to us, from whatever point of view we regard it, St. Paul
tells us that there are certain practices which are incumbent upon us.