Simplicity

And I have been reflecting on all of that.  And yet – in all this power that I now yield, I hold no power compared with the Blessed Virgin.

Madonna with the Long Neck (Parmigianino)

I have been reflecting on the Blessed Virgin.  As a woman she is a woman to be admired.  Her very presence changed the course of the entire world.  If the Blessed Virgin had decided to reject the message of the angel, if she had decided that she did not wish to be a wife or mother, if she had decided that she would like a nice ordinary child and one who would not lead her to such grief, if she had decided – even once – to gossip or swear or just think uncharitably about someone then the world would be different.

These days, as a woman we are afforded so many rights and powers in this country.  I am allowed to do any job that a man does and for the same amount of pay.  I am allowed to speak like a man, dress like a man and present like a man.  Never would I expect to walk into a business meeting and be treated in some way as lesser than a man because I am not a man.  Having children or a husband is no reason for me to be denied opportunities as a woman.

And I have been reflecting on all of that.  And yet – in all this power that I now yield, I hold no power compared with the Blessed Virgin.

And who is she?

Was she educated like me?  No.  She was a poor young girl.  She never attended school or university.  It is unlikely that she would know how to ready or even that she could understand philosophy or politics.  She most likely could not make polite conversation about the arts or sciences.  Was she presenting like me?  Unlikely.  She was not vain and did not waste time on her physical appearance.  Her body was a vessel for God to use as He wished – literally – as He placed Himself within her Womb.

Her life was simple and unsophisticated.  She had no money or power.  And yet – THIS is the single most important soul ever created.  For this is the soul that changed the world.

And I have been reflecting on that today.  For it seems that so often in my own life I am tempted to rely on my own talents or education or skills.  And I do this because of my inflated pride.  And today, as I reflect on myself, I am quite overcome by the starkness of the contrast between me and the Blessed Virgin Mary.  For how could one such as I ever hope to compare to the Treasure of Creation?

And it seems to me today that the main difference between us is her simplicity – her beautiful simplicity.  For the Blessed Virgin has a simplicity that is Divine.  This is not to say that the Blessed Virgin – a created being – is divine in and of herself, rather it is to say that through her simply acceptance of God in every aspect of her life – through her sinlessness – she is the greatest treasure because what we see of her is not the Blessed Virgin herself, but a reflection of God – who she serves as no other created being has ever served Him.

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