5 February 2010: Zeal of Jesus for His Father’s House

“... the Pasch of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went to Jerusalem.” (Jn 2:13) This year he went as a Master and Reformer not as a plain worshipper. He proclaimed himself by a striking act of authority --

“He found in the Temple those who sold oxen, sheep and doves; and the money changers, sitting. When he had made a whip of little cords, he drove them all out of the Temple, the sheep, oxen, and money changers. ... and the table he overthrew.” (cf Jn 2:15)

He was resolved to stop a scandalous, sacrilegious, and inveterate abuse which a love of gain had made. Jesus righteously expressed indignation and anger; but without disturbing the interior peace of his soul.

To those who sold doves, he just said, “Take these things” (Jn 2:16). Why this double standard? Because they were poor, more ignorant, and less guilty. Had he dealt with them as the others, they would be deprived of their only means of income. This is contrary to his infinite goodness. Thus, he only frightened them.

Jesus justified his severity to the Jews in these words: “Make not my Father’s house a den of thieves.” (cf Mt 21:13) Let us apply these words to ourselves. Do we make reparation for the insults to God in church by exterior reverence and devotion?

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp361-3

Our Lady’s obedience of faith

Obedience is the virtue in which Our Lady excels every other creature. Even before the Anunciation, Mary would meditate on the Scriptures. She would discover their deepest meaning as no one had ever done before. Her understanding, free from the effects of sin, was enlightened by faith and the fullness of God’s grace.

Furthermore, with the help of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Our Lady was able to fathom the depths of the Messianic prophecies and longed for the Saviour’s coming. Her insistent prayer was an echo of the constant petition of all the Patriarchs and people of Israel throughout its history. Mary gave glory to God more fully than did all the rest of creation.

The Blessed Trinity favored Mary with a special fondness. She did not place any limitations on fulfilling God’s Will; but left herself totally open to whatever God might want from her. God had prepared the Blessed Virgin for her special mission, filling her with his grace.

The Anunciation brought with it the fulfilment of all that had been in our Lady’s heart. “But it is also the point of departure from which her whole ‘journey towards God’ begins, her whole pilgrimage of faith.” (John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptoris Mater”, 13)

The most immediate consequence of our Lady’s faith is her full obedience to God’s plan. This consideration can help us to examine ourselves, to see whether our faith leads us to imitate her obedience. Are we truly willing to fulfil God’s Will in everything, unconditionally? Desiring whatever God wills, whenever and in whatever way he wills it?

We can especially ask ourselves how we accept the ordinary difficulties of our day-- sickness, which we should love if it comes; suffering and sorrow; an unforeseen change in our plans; the failure of a project. In short, anything that interferes with our own desires.

Thus, do both success and failure, enjoyment as well as suffering, lead us to grow in holiness?

Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:550-52

Mary, God’s Humble Handmaid

As we give thanks to the Omnipotent, whose name is Holy, we, too wish to raise up a hymn of our exultation together, because He has looked upon the lowliness of His servants.

The Blessed Virgin intoned the ‘Magnificat’, knowing that, to accomplish the plan of salvation for all mankind, the Lord willed to bring her, a humble maiden of His People, into association with it. We are here to intone our ‘Magnificat’, after the example of Mary, knowing that we have been summoned by God to a service of redemption and salvation, despite our inadequacy.

The grander the task to be achieved, the poorer the instruments called to collaborate with the divine plan. It is true that the power of God’s arm is made evident by the weakness of the means employed. Thus, the smaller the persons invited to serve, the greater the things which the Almighty is disposed to accomplish through our means ...

‘The Almighty has done great things for me’, Mary declared. She was fully aware of the greatness of her mission; but at the same time, she recognized herself to be, and remained, ‘a lowly servant’, attributing all the merit to God the Savior.

The grandeur of the redemptive mission is accomplished in Mary through perfect accord between the divine omnipotence and humble human docility.

Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp198-9

Mary’s increase in grace

As prophesied by Simeon at the Presentation in the Temple, Mary will share the Saviour’s trials. Had the Son of Man not been born, we could never have known the full malice of pride’s revolt against truth.

Mary’s grace had two contrasting effects: the pure joys of the Anunciation and the Nativity; the desire to be united to the sufferings of her Son for our salvation. Thus, presenting Him in the temple, she already offers Him for us. Joy and sorrow join in the heart of the Mother of God, already the Mother of all who will believe in her Son.

Ref: cf R Garrigou-LaGrange, “The Mother of the Saviour and our Interior Life”, 1948, pp111-2

Selection -- “Turn constantly to the most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God and Mother of the human race; and she, with a Mother’s gentleness, will draw down the love of God on the souls you deal with, so that they may make up their minds to be witnesses for Jesus Christ, in their profession, in their ordinary work.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 911)

Dedication of the first temple of Our Lady, by St. Peter, at Tripoli, now Tortosa.— Canisius, lib. v. de Beata Virgine, ch. 32. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Dedication of the First Church of Our Lady by St Peter in Tortosa, Italy (http://www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm)
(Tripoli [http://www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html])