The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"""196 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.less must have been the sanctity of Mary, whogave Him birth, whose breast was His pillow, whonursed and clothed Him in infancy, who guidedHis early steps, who accompanied Him in His exileto Egypt and back, who abode with Him from infancy to boyhood, from boyhood to manhood ;whoduring all that time listened to the words of wisdom which fell from His lips,who was the first toembrace Him at His birth, and the last to receiveHis dying breath on Calvary. This sentiment is sonatural to us that we find it bursting forth spontaneously from the lips of the woman of the Gospel,who, hearing the words of Jesus full of wisdom andsanctity, lifted up her voice and said to Him :Blessed is the womb that bore Thee and the papsthat gave Thee suck."It is in accordance with the economy of divineProvidence that, whenever God designs any personfor some important work, He bestows on that person the graces and dispositions necessary for faithfully discharging it.When Moses was called byheaven to be the leaderof the Hebrew people, he hesitated to assume theformidable office on the plea of impediment andslowness of tongue."But Jehovah reassured himby promising to qualify him for the sublime functions assigned to him : I will be in thy mouth, andI will teach thee what thou shalt speak."*1Exod. iv. 12.