MARY, OUR MOTHER

St. John the Baptist is born.

OUR LADY'S VISITATION AND THE BAPTIST

2. The Sanctification of St. John.

This was the principal aim of this mystery. God wanted to sanctify His forerunner; and since Jesus could not go there by Himself, He went within the most pure womb of Mary. Think of the principal details in this mysterious sanctification. St. John must precede Jesus on the path of sanctity for only on that path can souls meet Him. Only if you strive towards sanctity you go along with Jesus.

Again think of the readiness and the promptness which we must bring to the service of God. No putting off, no procrastination, no leaving things for later on or for the morrow. That is slackness and lukewarmness. God must be served promptly and speedily. We can proceed along the road to sanctity only by advancing and keeping on the run. No stopping or delay. No turning back. Do you see an example of sanctification in St. John? Jesus is in a hurry to achieve it. John is not yet born and God already wants him a saint. How happy we would be if only we could say the same! But since the grace of being born a saint has not been granted us, why do we delay and waste the time He gives us?

The subject of the Baptist's preaching is summed up in his words: Behold the Lamb of God Who take away the sins of the world! How feelingly must St. John uttered these words since he, pardoned and sanctified in the bosom of his mother, had been the first to experience them in himself.

I am not worthy to undo the lace of His sandals, he would say later, meaning thereby, "I am nothing in His presence because whatever I am I am not of myself but only thanks to Him." Apply these words to yourself and be persuaded of their truth. Without God you are but rottenness and misery. Without Him there is nothing pleasing in your soul. Whatever we are, we are through Him. If there is anything good, worthy and great within us, it is only through Him. The Baptist is the first successful example of what the power and goodness of Jesus can achieve. The experiment will be repeated later on in all other souls.

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