The Blessed Virgin possessed the spirit of humility in a perfect degree.
Not that she failed to know the gifts which God had bestowed upon her; on
the contrary she ever remembered that God had drawn her out of nothing,
and she returned Him incessant thanks for the favors which He had given
her. This virtue is most essential, since without it there is no grace for
us, no recompense in heaven; while with it there is pardon, every
blessing, and eternal salvation. Let us often meditate on these words of
our blessed Mother when she went to visit St. Elizabeth: “The Lord hath
regarded the humility of His handmaid.” The archangel Gabriel had saluted
her full of grace and blessed among women, but the holy Virgin only
humbles herself more and more, confessing aloud that she is but the
handmaid of the Lord. What a contrast to our pride and self‐sufficiency!
If, on account of some appearance of good, we are charged with some duty
of importance, do we not immediately begin to consider ourselves
something? while in reality we are but nothingness, misery, and sin. St.
Basil says there are three things which will establish humility in the
heart. First, a perfect conviction of our own nothingness. Second, the
constant consideration of the conduct of the good, who are better than
ourselves. Third, persevering obedience to those to whom we owe
submission.
Prayer.
O tender Mother! despise not our petitions, receive our homage,
veneration, and love. Be thou our Queen; in thee do we place our whole
trust, for thou art our gracious Mother. To thee do we commit ourselves,
body, soul, and spirit, with all we have and are. Show thyself our Mother
both in life and death, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Twenty‐fifth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Charity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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