MARY, OUR MOTHER

Meditation 49

IN EXILE

1. The Discomforts of the Journey.
Consider the hardships of that trip, seemingly endless and so full of fatigue. Perhaps, at the beginning They would not dare travel during the day but, not to be seen, would wait for the night.

Contemplate Our Lady with Her Son in Her arms, never abandoning Him even for a second, full of anxiety, taking shelter in some hideout with St. Joseph during the day and taking advantage of the darkness in order to continue the flight. How little and how uncomfortably would They rest during those days!

Remember the trip to Bethlehem. It also was full of inconveniences, but after all it was a peaceful journey. Now, instead, it is a flight. They are running away from a blood-thirsty tyrant, from a ruthless persecutor. You, no doubt, when you had some contradiction or trouble have spent some sleepless night. The night seemed endless: the hours seemed not to advance. Now compare that with the nights that Our Blessed Lady had to spend, during Her flight to Egypt, in the face of so many hardships.

What would They eat? They had had no time to make provision; and even if time had been available They had no money. But in fact no time was allowed Them. If, at least, one full day had been granted to Them to make preparations for the journey! But not even that. And where would They sleep? On the hard ground under a tree or perhaps sharing some untidy cave with animals.

Now compare your fastidiousness with the sufferings of your Heavenly Mother. You are so thin-skinned and She, although She was much more delicate than you, was so brave. See whether in front of Her you will have the impertinence to complain when anything is wanting to you, when things do not go according to your taste, when you have to bear some little discomfort.

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