MARY, OUR MOTHER

ON THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM

3. Bethlehem.

At last they have arrived. It is time to rest. Joseph goes around looking for a decent place in keeping with their poverty. But here again the hand of God tries them with suffering and trial. No inns, no friends, all doors are closed to them. How trying! After several days hard travelling and on the eve of giving birth to Her Son, Mary has no where to stay. Do you not think that in Her place we would have given vent to bad temper or despair?

But not a word of complaint from Our Lady. Again She trusts Herself into the arms of God, awaits the manifestation of God's Holy Will. In the end God's Will must always prevail.Why then should we not accept it with more resignation and joy especially when something unpleasant happens to us? Look at Mary; see Her enter that miserable stable. Her delicate sentiments, Her maternal love must have been hurt. How repugnant is everything around. How could She spend the night in that place? Could She possible give birth to Her Son in such a den? Yet Mary is serene and joyful. If this is the will of God then it is Hers also.

Throw yourself at the feet of that Most Pure Virgin and beg pardon for your pride, for that self-love of yours which so often goes against the Holy Will of God. Implore from Her a submission, an obedience like Hers, that you may learn how to obey and submit even joyfully without uttering a word not only your will but also your judgement to your superior, even when you are convinced of being perfectly right.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]