MARY, OUR MOTHER

THE ANNUNCIATION

MARIAN SLAVERY

2. The Divine Mould.

But all this means that I must lose myself in Mary, like a drop in the ocean, or like the metal in the mould. Mary is the mould of God. God wants us to be similar to Jesus and thus He gives us the pattern. we must, by being similar to Mary, be shaped in it in order to be perfect images of Jesus. Now think well of what is entailed by this being shaped, by our being emptied into that mould. You must be filled with Mary. Until you do so you will not be a real slave, nay you will not be a real lover of Mary.

But think also of the inherent reward. To be similar to Mary is a reward in itself. Is this too little? Think of being able to attract the love of God as She did. Because She made Herself a slave, She became the Queen and Mother of God. Something similar will happen to you. God cannot be beaten in generosity. That is why we cannot even imagine the reward that He reserves for those who surrender themselves perfectly to Him in this holy slavery. Do not however think of the reward, but give yourself up and expect no other prize than that of intimately loving Jesus and Mary and of being similar to them.

Without fear adopt this practice, this divine slavery. Ask Mary to help you. Examine yourself daily and ask yourself often whether you are really emptying yourself of yourself. when self-love tingles, remember Mary. At every stroke of the hour remember your slavery. Never think of your own likes or dislikes. Just think whether or not your loving Mother wants it so.

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