The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 221mighty, hath done great things to rue, and holyis1His name I"God jealous of the honor paid to Mary! Aswell might we imagine that the sun, if endowedwith intelligence, would be jealous of the mellow,golden cloud which encircles him, which reflects hisbrightness, and presents in bolder light his inaccessible splendor. As well imagine that the sameluminary would be jealous of our admiration for thebeautiful rose, whose opening petals, and rich colorand delicious fragrance are the fruit of his beneficent rays.Hence in uniting Marys praise with that ofJesus, we are strictly imitating the Sacred Text;and as no one ever suspected that the encomiumspronounced on Judith and the virtuous Kings andProphets of Israel detracted from God s honor, soneither do we lessen His glory in exalting theBlessed Virgin. I find Jesus and Mary togetherin Nazaat the manger, together in Egypt, togetherreth, together in the temple, together at the crossI find their names side by side in the Apostles andthe Nicene Creed. It isfitting that both shouldfind a place inmy heart, and that both names shouldoften flow successively from my lips. Inseparablein life and in death, they should not be divorced inmy prayer. What God hath joined together, letnot man put asunder."19*1Luke i. 49.