8 May, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

The Humility of Mary

1. The profound humility of Mary was commensurate with her high dignity. As Dante put it, she was the humblest and noblest of creatures. “Umile ed altra più che creatura.” (Par. 33:2) None of the saints was humbler than Mary, just as none of them was greater. It was an Archangel who came down from Heaven and bowed before her as he praised her in the highest terms as "full of grace" and announced the unique dignity she was to receive as Mother of God. She bowed her head in turn and declared herself to be the handmaid of the Lord, ready to do His will in all things. Then she went to visit and congratulate her cousin Elizabeth, because she had heard from the Angel that she was to be the mother of the Precursor. When she arrived at the house, she was greeted by Elizabeth, with the words: "How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Far from being flattered, however, Mary attributed all her glory to God and replied with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise and gratitude in God's honour. It was the same when Jesus was born in the manger at Bethlehem. There was a sudden brightness in the sky and the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will." But even though she held the Lord of Heaven and earth in her arms, the Blessed Virgin asked for nothing for herself. Her only desire was to do the will of God. The love of Jesus was enough for her. She did not seek her own glory, but the glory of God. Likewise on the weary journey into Egypt she was content because she was with Jesus, and in the obscure life of Nazareth she desired no other treasure but Her divine Son. During His public life she followed Him in silence. Once only she spoke in a submissive tone in order to ask a favour for others, but not for herself. It was at the wedding celebrations in Cana, when she asked for the first miracle in such a way that it was not even apparent that it was she who had wrung the favour from the filial heart of Jesus. It was always like that, up to the time of Calvary and the Resurrection, the Ascension and Pentecost. She remained humbly in the background all the time. Now after her departure from this earth, her humility has been gloriously crowned in the dogma of the Assumption and in her coronation as Queen of Angels and of Saints.

2. Unfortunately, we often look for our share of glory on earth. We wish to appear to others not only at our true value, but as much more than we are really worth. We imagine that the gifts and qualities which God has given us belong to ourselves, whereas they are entirely His. We like to put up a good appearance, to win praise and renown—in other words we want to have our reward upon this earth. We should remember, however, that if we look for our reward now, we shall not have it in Heaven. God sees when our motives in doing good are distorted, and when we appear before His judgment seat He will say to us: “You have received your reward.” (Cf. Mt. 6:2) Let us be humble like Mary. Let us make God's glory rather than our own satisfaction the object of all our actions. It will sometimes happen that men will misunderstand us, perhaps even insult us. We are not forbidden to defend ourselves and explain our position. We may not have the heroic virtue of St. Francis de Sales, who remained silent when he was calumniated. But we should not be too disturbed by lack of understanding or slander nor should we be too elated by flattery. Only one thing should count with us, and that is the testimony of a good conscience before God. Everything else is passing and futile. Our humility will be tested by the inevitable opposition, sometimes jealous and malicious, which we shall experience on the part of other men. On these occasions we shall see if we are really meek and humble of heart like Jesus and our Blessed Mother.

3. O Holy Mary, you were humble in life even though you were the Mother of God. Obtain for me also the difficult virtue of humility. I know that it is the basis of all the virtues and draws the grace of God. You see how much I need to be humble. Grant that God may be the centre of my mind and of my heart. Grant that His glory may be the object of all my actions and desires, and the chief purpose of my life. Amen.