Blessed

“For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed…” (Luke 1:40).

Assumption (Unknown)

I have been thinking about the MOST Blessed Soul ever created.  And that soul is the soul of the Blessed Virgin.  Her soul is so loved by God that she has been given the TITLE BLESSED.  She is referred to in the Gospels as “blessed among women” and it has been said that God has done “great things”.

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.’” (Luke 1:39-56).

And I have been thinking about what it means for a soul to be considered Blessed.  Obviously, of course, there is a greater soul than that of the Blessed Virgin – the soul of the Creator – God Himself…  But that is NOT a created soul so I do not consider the Soul of God in this consideration – though the same ideas have occurred to me about the Blessedness of His soul…

You see, if I were to consider blessedness in human terms, I would consider fame and fortune as evidence of blessedness.  And yet, the Blessed Virgin was unknown and poor.  She was so unknown that she is barely mentioned in the Gospels.  In fact, after the first miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cannan she never speaks again…

And I have been thinking about that today.

You see, there God has promised the Blessed Virgin that she would be Blessed.  And what that really meant is that she would be Blessed Eternally.  But there is a price to pay for eternal Blessedness…  And that is suffering and sacrifice.

Viktor Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who was imprisoned in multiple concentration camps during the Second World War.  His entire family was killed during that time, and he, himself almost died also.  However, he came to the realisation that the human being can endure almost anything provided they can establish a purpose – a reason – for their suffering…  After the War, he wrote the now, world famous book, “Man‘s Search for Meaning” about this very idea.

And I have been thinking about this today.  For the Blessed Virgin endured unimaginable suffering – knowing from the moment of His conception (in a special way) that her Child would be persecuted and tortured and would die and she would be asked by God to endure all manner of suffering for His Holy Will.  And she endured this with a spirit of Charity and goodness.  She did not become bitter or angry or upset.  She placidly endured the suffering sent to her as a sacrifice, to establish MEANING.  And since it had meaning, she was able to endure and remain Blessed.  The MOST BLESSED soul that was ever created…  And the Most Beloved of God…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.