The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""218 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.a people in proportion as they ignore Mary s relations to Him.The defender of a beleaguered citadel concentrates his forces on the outer fortifications andtowers, knowing well that the capture of these outworks would endanger the citadel itself, and thattheir safety involves its security.Jesus Christ is the citadel of our faith, the stronghold of our soul s affections.Maryis called theTower of David," and the gate of Sion which theLord loveth more than all the tabernacles of Jacob, 1and which He entered at His Incarnation.So intimatelyis this living gate of Sion connectedwith Jesus, the temple of our faith, that no one hasever assailed the former without invading the latter.The Nestorian would have Mary to be only an ordinary mother, because he would have Christ, to be amere man.Hence, if we rush to the defence of the gate ofSion, it is because we are more zealous for the cityof God. If we stand as sentinels around the towerof David, it is because we are more earnest in protecting Jerusalem from invasion. If we forbid profane hands to touch the ark of the covenant,it isbecause we are anxious to guard from profanationthe Lord of the ark. If we are so solicitous aboutMary s honor,it is becausethe love of Christ *presseth us. If we will not permit a single wreath1Ps. Ixxxvi.