That the Thoughts of Our Hearts May Be Revealed

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The Virgin in Prayer by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

She is God's most perfect design, the most perfect image of Christ Jesus. She submitted herself without reserve to God's action, carried out with unswerving fidelity all those things he had prepared beforehand for her life, little or great. From moment to moment Mary looked for God's guidance and followed one step at a time. She embraced with all her heart whatever he willed or permitted. Her life was a continual fiat to his operations. She sought only to please him, to be docile in his hands, whether what he asked was painful or sweet. In fact, all was sweet because it was Love's will. Mary passed from one duty to another—from prayer to work, from work to repose, with the same tranquility and singleness of purpose; ever hand-in-hand with the Beloved, her eyes upon him. She accepted all with the same simple, unquestioning love. She did not ask to understand, to see the pattern of her life, to know what torments were in store. That was God's affair, not hers.

Every Christian life must be a contemplative life overflowing in loving sacrifice. A Christian knows, loves, and serves. Let us learn from our Lady how to cooperate with the divine action ... always and everywhere in hidden ways—its majesty obscured by lowliness, humiliation, suffering. Let us discern it too in the condition of our bodies: in weariness, aches, and pains, as well as in a feeling of wellbeing. God's action is always there. He is always carrying out his purpose of deifying us. We must have unshakeable faith in divine providence directing our lives. ... We must have an ardent faith in his constant care, never ceasing to trust in his love. Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up (Is 43:1-2). ... God is in the simple, the routine, the uneventful, the drab things of life. It is there that we encounter him and can, if we will, embrace him as did Mary, for he is Emmanuel, God with us. Our task is to be with him—always.