MARY, OUR MOTHER

MAGNIFICAT

4. Mary's Words.

Finally, in this canticle we possess Mary's longest speech. In the Gospel, only a few casual words of Mary are quoted; but they are so few that we, Her children, do not feel satisfied. Instead, in the Magnificat we have neither an abstract nor a sample. We have the very words of Mary; in fact, all the words She uttered on that occasion.

There seems to be some deep reason for all this; it appears as though She wanted to show us that although She was sparing in words whenever She spoke with men or with angels, as though She would not waste time in idle words but would limit Herself to the use of the most essential expressions only, yet, when speaking with God, She was not thus restrained. Here She measures neither time nor words but just lets Her heart speak. Meditate on Her prudence when talking to man and on Her love when talking to God.

Try to follow this prudence when speaking with men as well as Her love when dealing with God by prolonging your prayer instead of growing tired of it. Relish conversation with Heaven rather than the idle talk of the earth.

Finally ask Her that you may always love Her canticle because it is Hers and because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Ask the grace to recite it with that devotion and fervor She had when first She sang it in the presence of God.

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