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Annunciation - by MURILLO, Bartolomé Esteban - from Museo del Prado, Madrid Mary is not depicted in the Thralls-of Mystical Rapture, nor in those of Devotion. Murillo's Mary is a very Young Woman, with an almost Childlike Face, who is Kneeling-at her Prie-Dieu, her Eyes cast Pensively-downwards. She has Set-aside her Basket-of Handiwork and seems to have been Disturbed-by an Angel, in the Midst-of her Prayers. Mary's Purity is Symbolized-by the White Lilies, and her Prior Knowledge-of the Messiah, is Symbolized-by the open Holy Book at the Right, containing the Words-of the Inspired Writers-of Genesis and Isaiah, of which she had Intimate prior-Knowledge. Were it not for the Presence-of his Wings, even the Angel would seem to be a very Worldly Creature. With one hand, he Points-towards the Dove-of the Holy Spirit, which Floats-above their Heads, in a Celestial Vision. With the other hand, he makes a Gesture-of Persuasion: he seems to be Explaining the Purpose-of his Mission, quite Vigorously-to Mary. Mary's Innocence, underlined-by the Lily as a Symbol-of Purity, is of such Intensity, that the Spectator Senses her Quiet Reservation, the Excited Anticipation-of the Prophesied Miracle, and her Astonishment-at the Experience. |
Ubi Venit plenitudo temporis misit Deus Filium suum.
"When the Fullness of Time was Come, God sent His Son"
Galatians 4:4
But let us Admire-in this, the Divine Wisdom: He 'Deferred' the Coming-of the Redeemer, in-order-to Render His Advent, more-Welcome to-Man, in order that the Malice of Sin might be better-Known, as-well-as the Necessity-of a Remedy, and the Grace of the Savior. If Jesus Christ, had Come-into the World, Immediately-after the Fall-of Adam, the Greatness-of this Favor, would have been but Slightly Appreciated. Let us therefore 'Thank' the Goodness-of-God, for having Sent 'us' into the World, after the Great Work-of Redemption was 'Accomplished'. Behold, the Happy Time is 'Come', which was 'Called' the Fullness of Time:
When the Fullness of Time was Come, God sent His Son, - It is called Fullness, on-account-of the Fullness-of Grace which the Son-of-God came to Communicate-to Men, by the Redemption-of the World. Behold the Angel, who is sent as 'Ambassador' into the Town-of Nazareth, to-announce-to the Virgin Mary, the Coming-of the Word, Who Desires-to become Incarnate, in her Womb. The Angel Salutes her, Calls her Full of Grace and Blessed among Women. The Humble Virgin, Chosen-to be the Mother-of the Son-of-God, is Troubled-at these Praises, on-account-of her Great Humility: but the Angel Encourages her, and tells her that she has found Grace-with-God; that is to say, that Grace which brought Peace between God and Man, and the Reparation-of the Ruin, Caused-by Sin. He then tells her that she must give her Son the Name-of Savior: Thou shalt call His Name Jesus (Luke 1:31); ----- and that This, her Son, is the very Son-of-God, Who is to Redeem the World, and thus to Reign-over the Hearts-of Men. Behold, at last Mary Consents-to be the Mother-of such a Son. And the Eternal Word takes- Flesh and becomes-Man. And the Word was made-Flesh: "Et Verum caro factum est". Let us Thank this Son, and let us also Thank His Mother, who, in Consenting-to be the Mother-of such a Son, Consented-also to be the Mother-of our Salvation, and Mother also of Sorrows, accepting at that Time, the Deep Abyss-of Sorrows that it would Cost her, to be the Mother of a Son, Who was to Come-into the World, to Suffer and Die, for Man.
- End of Liguori Sermon -
"O my God, make me a Saint"
Affections and Prayers
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Other Kings, Reign-by the Strength-of Arms, but Thou comest-to Reign-by the Power-of Love; and therefore, Thou dost not come-with Regal Pomp, nor
Clothed-in Purple and Gold, nor Adorned-with Scepter and Crown, nor Surrounded-by Armies-of Soldiers. Thou comest-into the World, to be Born-in a
Stable, ----- Poor, Forsaken, Placed-in a Manger on a little Straw, because thus Thou wouldst Begin-to Reign-in our Hearts. 