Monday 16 August 2010

Our Lady and the Most Holy Sacrifice


The Holy Virgin reigns in great glory in heaven because of the wonderful things the Good Lord has done for her, truly holy is His Name. The Mother of God is not simply to be admired from afar, but wishes ardently that we imitate her holy example for the greater glory of her Divine Son.
God in Sacred Writ is named as the potter, while we are likened to clay. Mere, brute matter cannot resist the artist's hands, on the other hand, we are able to destroy grace in us. Instead of humbly submitting to His mercy, we prevent Him working great things in us. Our Blessed Lady's Fiat is the supreme human example of handing oneself over to the will of the Good Lord. I am sure that what she consented to in great faith and trust was not fully known by her. Even greater therefore should she be honoured by men for her love!
Each day we are confronted with the question, posed by the grace of the Holy Spirit, her Heavenly Spouse, whether we wish to become saints or accept corruption and perish. No day must go by, without our commending of our souls to His hands, willing to accept whatever death may be pleasing to Him.
At the Holy Sacrifice, we are again presented with this probing question. The Priest at the Offertory, begs the Eternal Father to accept this spotless host, which he the unworthy servant of God offers for his offenses, sins, and negligences, for all those present, on behalf of all faithful Christians, so that we may possess life in abundance. This is not an isolated act where the faithful kneel idly before the distribution of the Holy Gifts. We must place ourselves on the Paten with the host, offering in union with the Sacred Victim, our memories, intellects, wills, bodies and souls, all for the honour of the Blessed and Undivided Trinity. We are graciously called to the foot of the Cross, with the Holy Virgin who suffered a silent and bloodness martyrdom, with the Divine John and the prostrated Seraphim and Cherubim.
The tears rolled softly down her cheeks, yet her humble obedience to her Lord's will was perfect, lacking in nothing. At the Mass, the Supreme Act of adoration, thanksgiving, petition and reparation we are urged to do the same. Now that is truly 'active participation'.

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