MARY, OUR MOTHER

MAGNIFICAT

2. My Spirit has found Joy in God My Savior.

Mary rejoices or rather She overflows with an infinite joy. But not for earthly things. It is an intimate, spiritual joy whose object is God Himself. She rejoices in God, in the full and perfect possession of God.

St. Elizabeth had reminded Her of Her great graces and privileges. But although these are sufficient reason for rejoicing, yet Mary does not so much as think of the gifts as of their Author and Giver. St. Augustine used to tell the Lord: "Not Thy gifts, but Thyself." More rightly does Our Lady express this same feeling. We do not know how to look for God. And therefore we never come to the point of enjoying Him. But God has ineffable consolations for those who love Him. What would He have then poured on the Heart of Mary? No wonder, then, that Her most blessed soul should exalt with divine joy!

Note, however, that Mary does not say only "My spirit has found joy in God," but "in God Who is My Savior." Here is the root of the spiritual joy, of the eternal happiness for which we hope. Here is the reason: God is our Savior. We were doomed to the eternal sadness of hell; but thanks to Our Savior, our lot has been reversed. We now hope for the eternal joys of Heaven. What happiness, indeed, will a soul feel on seeing his Creator there? And how much more so, on seeing in God His Savior and Sanctifier! What would indeed have been the use of our creation if God had not equally saved and sanctified us?

At the thought of such a high Redeemer and Savior join in Our Lady's rejoicing. This joy is all spiritual. Even if the body were afflicted by penance and mortification or trial, the spirit will go on rejoicing.

Think also that Mary's rejoicing is centered on God. No selfishness, no self gratification or complaisance; only the joy of love; that joy of loving and of seeing that the object of our love is loved, even if we ourselves have to suffer. Mary was contemplating Jesus within Herself and this contemplation caused Her to rejoice in God.

You also should see God within yourself, realize that he is in your heart. The clearer you thus see Him, the more you will rejoice. Apply this contemplation to Holy Communion. Do you not hold Jesus within yourself just as Mary did? Do you enjoy His Real Presence? Ask Our Lady to teach you how to see Jesus within you; how lovingly to embrace Him, how to rejoice in the sweetness of His presence, how to find bitter all the sweetness of the earth in comparison with this happiness of possessing Jesus.

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