THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY 12-2
(Continued)
(Continued)
2. Your own joy.
And who on realizing what has happened in the world does not share this joy? Does not the heart of every man rejoice? Do you not feel it also within yourself? Do you not see that the darkness of death and sin which once flooded your heart has gone away and that now there is a shining light which enlightens and guides you to your eternal destiny? That light which comes to you from Mary is Christ. She is the light of your life.
Imagine the arid desert without flowers, without plants, without life. But take to it water: very soon there will be palm trees bearing green branches and fruit.
A barren vine may yield no fruit; but graft a healthy branch on to it and it will produce rich sweet grapes. That is the picture of your soul: an arid desert, a barren vine. If your vine bears fruit, it is because Christ has, by means of Mary, been grafted into you. If your soul is not barren, it is because our Blessed Lady has planted in your heart the sweet oasis of Jesus.
Remember the little cloud of Elias, a symbol of Mary, that brought fertility to a dry land. In the same way Mary has rendered the earth fertile: through Her there has sprung up lilies of virginity, roses of love. The same will happen in your heart, but only with Her and through Her. Do not forget that: without Her, there is but barren land, dry desert, a withered branch. Why not rejoice at the Nativity of Our Lady, a Nativity so glorious and fruitful for your soul?
[From 'Marian Meditations' Book]
And who on realizing what has happened in the world does not share this joy? Does not the heart of every man rejoice? Do you not feel it also within yourself? Do you not see that the darkness of death and sin which once flooded your heart has gone away and that now there is a shining light which enlightens and guides you to your eternal destiny? That light which comes to you from Mary is Christ. She is the light of your life.
Imagine the arid desert without flowers, without plants, without life. But take to it water: very soon there will be palm trees bearing green branches and fruit.
A barren vine may yield no fruit; but graft a healthy branch on to it and it will produce rich sweet grapes. That is the picture of your soul: an arid desert, a barren vine. If your vine bears fruit, it is because Christ has, by means of Mary, been grafted into you. If your soul is not barren, it is because our Blessed Lady has planted in your heart the sweet oasis of Jesus.
Remember the little cloud of Elias, a symbol of Mary, that brought fertility to a dry land. In the same way Mary has rendered the earth fertile: through Her there has sprung up lilies of virginity, roses of love. The same will happen in your heart, but only with Her and through Her. Do not forget that: without Her, there is but barren land, dry desert, a withered branch. Why not rejoice at the Nativity of Our Lady, a Nativity so glorious and fruitful for your soul?
[From 'Marian Meditations' Book]
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