by Fr. Peter
Richard Kenrick
“We see now through a glass”—1
Corinthians xiii. 12
In creating the world, and
still more in redeeming it, God proposed to himself His own greater glory in
the manifestation of His divine perfections. "The
Lord hath made all things for himself," says the inspired writer of the book
of Proverbs. (Prov. xvi. 4) Hence creation may be likened to a mirror, in which
the attributes of God are reflected and displayed. This is more particularly
true of the souls of the just than of the material works of God. Such souls
reflect the attributes of the Deity, in consequence of their free co-operation
with the divine grace; and are consequently more worthy of admiration than if
they were merely passive mirrors of the divine perfections. Mary, then, is
peculiarly entitled to the appellation of “Mirror
of Justice;” because, both in
the excellence of her natural qualities, and the superior perfection of her
soul, she more truly displayed the perfections of God, than the brightest
angels who surround His throne, or the accumulated sanctity of all his saints,
were all their merits united, and found in one person. With what complacency
must God have looked on this masterpiece of His creative and redeeming love!
Mary is the mirror of justice,
wherein we may see and endeavour to imitate what we cannot but admire. She has
ever been held up to Christians as the brightest model of all virtues, and her
example has had, in every age of the church, the most efficacious influence on
the morals of the faithful. "Let
the life of the blessed Mary," says
St. Ambrose, "be ever
present to you, in which, as in a mirror, the beauty of chastity, and form of
virtue shine forth. She was a virgin, not only in body, but in mind; who never,
sullied the pure affection of her heart by unworthy feelings. She was humble of
heart, serious in her conversation, prudent in her counsels, fonder of reading
than of speaking. She placed her confidence rather in the prayer of the poor,
than in the uncertain riches of this world. She was ever intent on her
occupations, reserved in her conversation, and accustomed to make God, rather
than man, the witness of her thoughts. She injured no one, wished well to all,
reverenced age, yielded not to envy, avoided all boasting, followed the
dictates of reason, and loved virtue. When did she sadden her parents, even by
a look ? When did she quarrel with her friends, despise humble, mock the
infirm, or avoid the needy? She
only visited those whom charity would not disown, nor modesty pass by. There
was nothing forward in her looks, bold in her words, or unbecoming in her
actions. Her carriage was not abrupt, her gait not indolent, her voice not
petulant; so that her very appearance was the picture of her mind and the
figure of piety." So far
this holy doctor of the church.
We also should endeavour to
correspond with God's designs in creating and redeeming us, and show forth His
divine perfections. Alas!How humiliating the reflection, that hitherto,
perhaps, God has in vain looked to us for any indication of His wisdom or
justice. Instead of that innocence to which He restored us in baptism, does He
not behold us immersed in guilt? Instead of that perfection to which He has
called us, and to attain which He has given us such abundant means, does He not
find tepidity and imperfection? Are we mirrors of justice for our neighbours,
who by seeing us should be excited to glorify our Father who is in Heaven? Do
we give them the example of justice, temperance, modesty of language and of
manner, devotion and charity, which they have a right to expect from us, and on
which, perhaps, their salvation may depend? What reproaches does conscience
make us on this subject! Let us, then, for the present turn away our eyes from
the sight of our own guilt or imperfection, and fix them on that bright Mirror
of Justice which the church holds up to our veneration. Let us beg of her, that
we may be imitators of her, as she has been of Christ; and let us ask her, with
filial confidence, that we may be known in future as her children, by our
faithful imitation of the virtues she has exemplified in her life.
EXAMPLE
John Bessard was a native of
the village of Stains, in the neighbourhood of St. Denis, near Paris. He was
educated with great care by the parish priest, and was from his childhood a
model of purity, and of exact attention to all his duties. As he advanced in
age he advanced in virtue; and, in his thirtieth year, he formed an association
of several of the villagers, whom he assembled on Sundays after divine service,
that thus they might be preserved from the temptations of intemperance and
dissipation. He read for them some pious book, or made some simple instruction,
with the approbation of the parish priest.
He visited all the Sick of the
village; and during forty years, very few died in it without enjoying the
benefit of his assistance in their last moments. This faithful servant of God
knew that exterior practices of piety powerfully contribute to the promotion of
virtue: and he accordingly engaged most of his associates to enter the
confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He selected this confraternity in
preference to any other; because he thought it best calculated to cause the
infinite goodness of Jesus Christ to be remembered.
On the days specially set apart
to honour the Sacred Heart of his Divine Master, Bessard, and a large number of
his fellow villagers, approached the holy communion. He loved to dwell on the
sentiment of St. Augustin; "that
the side of Jesus has been opened to procure us a passage to his heart, where
we may learn how excessive was his love for men." He had received the name of John in
baptism, and considered himself specially bound to regard the Holy Virgin as
his Mother. He imitated her silence, her love of solitude, her prompt
obedience, the purity of her heart, her profound humility, her attention to meditate
on the words of Jesus Christ, and her affection for sufferings and humiliations.
He always spoke of Mary with
the most profound respect. He proposed her as a model to young females, many of
whom were induced by his exhortation, to secure their salvation by embracing
the religious state. Those who remained in the world acknowledged that they
were indebted for their perseverance in virtue and piety, to the habit he had
made them contract, of regulating their conduct after the example of the Mother
of God.
This faithful imitator of Mary
died in the eighty-fourth year of his age, in 1752, at Paris, where he was
interred. His fellow villagers were inconsolable at not possessing the remains
of their holy brother, whom for long time they regarded as the tutelary angel
the place.
PRAYER
O Mary, glorious mirror of
justice! in whom God’s perfections are more brightly reflected than m any other
creature, I humble myself before thee, at the view of thy unexampled holiness,
and I now resolve to take thee for the model of my conduct. I am penetrated
with the most profound regret at the recollection of my past sins, which have
made me, perhaps, an occasion of ruin to many, whom, by my good example, ought
to have attracted to virtue. When I reflect on all the opportunities of doing
good, and advancing my own and my neighbour's salvation, which I have let pass
without profit, I dread not only the account that I must give of the evil I
have done, but also what I shall have to answer for the good I have neglected
to do. O holy Virgin, be thou my advocate with thy divine Son, and make me show
forth in all my actions the holiness of the God whom I serve, and my sense of
the obligations imposed on me by the character of thy servant. Amen.
PRACTICE
Examine how you have complied
with the obligation incumbent on all, of giving good example. See especially
whether you do not indulge in imperfections, which diminish the influence the
general regularity of your conduct would otherwise command?
ASPIRATION
Sweet heart of Mary, most
closely united with the adorable heart of Jesus, compassionate our misery.
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