Mary, a Light in the Darkness
1. Let us imagine for a moment that we have grown blind and are forever plunged in darkness. It is an unhappy thought. Never again to see those who are dear to us, never to see the light of the sun nor any of the splendour of the universe. We should feel as if were alone, for we should have to depend only on sounds and on the voices of others for communication with the external world. As St. Augustine points out, however, in his commentary on the miracle of the man who had been blind from birth, we are all more or less blind in the supernatural order. The world is the image of God, but do we see His presence in everything which surrounds us? Is it not more often the case that created things distract us and lead us to forget their Creator, because we regard them as a means of satisfying our own comfort and our own ego? We should look on creatures as go-betweens which help us to ascend to God, the beginning and end of all creation.
Unfortunately, instead of climbing this mystical ladder which leads us to God, we often descend it. We forget God and become excessively wrapped up in worldly affairs. Sometimes matters may be even worse; not only do we forget God through our love of creatures, but we use them to offend Him. God has given us eyes to admire His works and, as a result, to lead us to praise, thank, and love Him. Instead, we often use this wonderful gift in order to commit sin. He has given us the gift of speech, the gift of hearing, and other senses. But how do we employ them? The tongue is a marvellous invention, but, as St. James writes, “if anyone does not offend in the word, he is a perfect man, able also to lead round by a bridle the whole body... With it we bless God the Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.” (James 3:2-10) What can be said of vision and of speech can be said of all the senses and faculties of body and soul. They are all God's gifts and should therefore be used as means of bringing ourselves closer to Him. If creatures lead us away from God and cause us to forget Him, or if, worse still, they cause us to offend Him, then we are spiritually blind and far more unfortunate than those who have lost their natural vision.
2. When Allesandro Manzoni was a young man, he became a prey to error and to passion. One day he was walking thoughtfully through the streets of Paris when he found himself standing before a church. He shook his head when he saw it, then hesitated, and at length resolutely entered. He knelt in front of the altar and, with a sense of confusion, looked up at the statue of the Madonna. He buried his face in his hands and prayed. It was the first time he had prayed for years. After a little while he left the church a changed man, and changed forever! In spite of his extraordinary talents, even he had been a poor blind man. The grace of God, obtained for him through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, restored to him “the true light that enlightens every man who comes into the world.” (John 1:9)
Most of us are spiritually blind to a greater or less degree. If we are, let us go to Mary. Our good Mother will obtain for us the light and grace of God, for she has always been a burning torch, illuminating the port of salvation for countless souls lost in the darkness of error and of vice. There have been so many whose minds were tormented by doubt and darkened by sin, and as soon as they knelt and prayed before her altar, they received from her the enlightenment, consolation, and strength of faith and virtue which they needed in order to begin a new Christian life. Let us do the same and this month of Mary will be a new and sincere beginning for us.
3. Most holy Mary, during your earthly pilgrimage you never once lost sight of God. Grant that I may not be lost in the darkness of this world. Grant that I may not be ensnared by the passing charm and false beauty of these created things which surround me. Grant that I may see in all things the presence and beauty of God, so that I may always continue to advance nearer and nearer to Him. Amen.
1. Let us imagine for a moment that we have grown blind and are forever plunged in darkness. It is an unhappy thought. Never again to see those who are dear to us, never to see the light of the sun nor any of the splendour of the universe. We should feel as if were alone, for we should have to depend only on sounds and on the voices of others for communication with the external world. As St. Augustine points out, however, in his commentary on the miracle of the man who had been blind from birth, we are all more or less blind in the supernatural order. The world is the image of God, but do we see His presence in everything which surrounds us? Is it not more often the case that created things distract us and lead us to forget their Creator, because we regard them as a means of satisfying our own comfort and our own ego? We should look on creatures as go-betweens which help us to ascend to God, the beginning and end of all creation.
Unfortunately, instead of climbing this mystical ladder which leads us to God, we often descend it. We forget God and become excessively wrapped up in worldly affairs. Sometimes matters may be even worse; not only do we forget God through our love of creatures, but we use them to offend Him. God has given us eyes to admire His works and, as a result, to lead us to praise, thank, and love Him. Instead, we often use this wonderful gift in order to commit sin. He has given us the gift of speech, the gift of hearing, and other senses. But how do we employ them? The tongue is a marvellous invention, but, as St. James writes, “if anyone does not offend in the word, he is a perfect man, able also to lead round by a bridle the whole body... With it we bless God the Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.” (James 3:2-10) What can be said of vision and of speech can be said of all the senses and faculties of body and soul. They are all God's gifts and should therefore be used as means of bringing ourselves closer to Him. If creatures lead us away from God and cause us to forget Him, or if, worse still, they cause us to offend Him, then we are spiritually blind and far more unfortunate than those who have lost their natural vision.
2. When Allesandro Manzoni was a young man, he became a prey to error and to passion. One day he was walking thoughtfully through the streets of Paris when he found himself standing before a church. He shook his head when he saw it, then hesitated, and at length resolutely entered. He knelt in front of the altar and, with a sense of confusion, looked up at the statue of the Madonna. He buried his face in his hands and prayed. It was the first time he had prayed for years. After a little while he left the church a changed man, and changed forever! In spite of his extraordinary talents, even he had been a poor blind man. The grace of God, obtained for him through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, restored to him “the true light that enlightens every man who comes into the world.” (John 1:9)
Most of us are spiritually blind to a greater or less degree. If we are, let us go to Mary. Our good Mother will obtain for us the light and grace of God, for she has always been a burning torch, illuminating the port of salvation for countless souls lost in the darkness of error and of vice. There have been so many whose minds were tormented by doubt and darkened by sin, and as soon as they knelt and prayed before her altar, they received from her the enlightenment, consolation, and strength of faith and virtue which they needed in order to begin a new Christian life. Let us do the same and this month of Mary will be a new and sincere beginning for us.
3. Most holy Mary, during your earthly pilgrimage you never once lost sight of God. Grant that I may not be lost in the darkness of this world. Grant that I may not be ensnared by the passing charm and false beauty of these created things which surround me. Grant that I may see in all things the presence and beauty of God, so that I may always continue to advance nearer and nearer to Him. Amen.
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