Here will I dwell, for I have chosen it
(Psalm cxxxi. 14))
Let us watch this tender little maiden in her
daily life in the Temple. How exact in obedience
to all her superiors how punctual in the performance
of every duty! How full of charity to 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 desires during her leisure to pray
in secretl When I examine my daily life, does it
at all correspond to hers?
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 ot the world. Thus it is that
the holiest always esteem themselves as nothing.
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 sweetly 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.