“When you see yourself with a dry heart, without knowing what to say, go with confidence to the Virgin Mary.” (Saint Josemaría, “Furrow” at 695).
They say that the greatest of all virtues is love…
And I have been reflecting on that today. You see, there are three theological virtues, which include: Faith; Hope; and Love.
And Saint Paul the Apostle tells us that “Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
And I have been reflecting on why that third theological virtue is LOVE. You see the synonym of that word – LOVE – in a theological sense, is CHARITY… And I have been thinking about what that word – charity actually means. You see, charity means to care for another as you care for yourself.
And I have been thinking about how that is represented in a practical manner. You see, it does not mean that we throw ourselves away and take no care of ourselves. Rather, it means that we first look after ourselves – putting our own oxygen mask in place – before attending to others.
It is very important for me to look after the spiritual health of my own immortal soul before I reach out to try to help others. And that means something to me, as I consider my role as wife and mother in my home. You see, like so many wives and mothers, it is my responsibility to influence others. I can no longer pick my children up and carry them to where they need to be, but I still would like them to make decisions in a manner that will ensure that they make the right decisions. And I have been thinking about that today because it has become clear that when everything is said and done, it is important to consider how I influence others.
When I was younger, I used to think that influence was about claiming the most important role. I would be the leader and the boss and in that way I would direct the course of the group and change the fate of the outcome. But as I have aged, I have come to realise that influence can come in any shape and form. Sometimes, a person is influenced by the smallest and the quietest voice in the room and by the smallest person in the place.
I have only to think of my Heavenly Mother… You see, in the Bible, we hardly hear any words of th Blessed Virgin Mary. She speaks a little in answer to the Angel’s message, and then we hear about the missing wine at Canaan, and then we hear nothing at all. Not a word. Not a single sound.
And yet – she influenced all those around her. In fact, one could go so far as to say that she influenced God.
Imagine Christ Himself – God the Son – dying on the Cross, completely overwhelmed by the filth of every sin that ever was or would be. Where were His eyes? Who was He thinking of? Who gave Him hope that humanity could be saved? The Blessed Virgin who stood quietly, listening and waiting as the Handmaid of the Lord.
There she stood and there He hung, and in that space, the hope of the world was obtained…
Saint Josemaría wrote in “Furrow” at 695, “When you see yourself with a dry heart, without knowing what to say, go with confidence to the Virgin Mary. Say to her, ‘My Mother Immaculate, intercede for me.’ If you invoke her with faith, she will make you taste in the midst of your dryness the proximity of God.”
And I have been thinking about that today. For the Blessed Virgin gave hope to the world. Not only on the day when Her Son was born. But – perhaps even more – on the day that He died…
And how much I love that soul – Queen of Heaven – for that!
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.