The True and Living Ark, Mary

The ancient ark of the Testament was borne along in public veneration and most solemn celebrations, amid the strains of music, dancing, sacrifices, the rejoicings of the kings and of the whole people of Israel, as is related in the sacred history of the second and third book of the Kings and the first and second of Paralipomenon. But our true and mystical Ark, the most holy Mary, although She was the most precious, the most estimable and worshipful of all the creatures, was not brought to the temple with such solemn show and public ostentation; during the transferring of this mysterious Ark, the sacrifice of animals, the royal pomp and the royal majesty were wanting. She at the age of three was carried from the house of her father Joachim in the arms of her humble mother Anne, who, though she was not very poor, wished to heal, her beloved Daughter on her arms in order to present Her in the temple without ostentation of riches, alone and unnoticed by the people. 

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All the sacraments and mysteries of the most holy Mary are so exalted and hidden that according to the inscrutable decrees of the Lord many of them are concealed to this day. He it is that holds in His hands the time and the hour for the revelation of all things, and of each one in particular. Lost in admiration of this wonder, prostrate in the presence of the Most High and in the praise of His high judgments, I was favored by His Majesty with the following explanation:

"Understand my soul, that if I provided that the ark of the old Testament be venerated with so much festivity and outward show, it was because it was an express figure of Her, who was to be the Mother of the incarnate Word. The first ark was material and irrational, and this ostentation and celebrity could be arranged for it without difficulty; but during Her life on earth in mortal flesh, I would not permit such celebration in connection with the true and living ark, Mary; for thou and the rest of the souls are to look upon Her as an example during your pilgrimage.”

'" I do not desire those who are written in My memory for eternal election to expect honors and the inconsiderate praise and applause of men as a part of their reward for working in My honor and service during mortal life. Nor must they be put in danger of dividing the love of their God, who justifies them and makes them saints, with those who merely proclaim them as such. The one and only Creator has made them and sustains them, illumines and defends them; therefore their love and attention must be single and undivided, and it must not be diverted even by a thankful regard for those who honor them as just.”

"The love of God is most sensitive, the human will is most frail and limited; if it is divided, it can only be small and very imperfect in its activity, easily coming to naught. Therefore I did not wish Her, who was to be the example of all holiness and who was free from all danger of a fall through My protection, to be renowned, or specially honored during Her life, nor was She to be brought to the temple amid the outward show of honor." 

"Moreover, I have sent my Onlybegotten from heaven and have created Her, who was to be His Mother, for the very purpose of drawing the world from its error and of undeceiving mortals, who have established the unjust and sinful law, that the poor are to be despised and the rich esteemed. That the humble are to be humiliated and the proud to be exalted, the virtuous to be maligned and the sinful applauded, that the timorous and modest are to be considered as fools and the arrogant to be held as valiant, that poverty should be considered as shameful and unfortunate, while riches, pomp, ostentation, splendor, honors, perishable pleasures should be sought and prized by foolish and carnal men.” 

“All this the incarnate Word and His Mother, in coming among them, were to reprove and condemn as deceitful and false, so that mortals might perceive the terrible danger of loving and entertaining so blindly the deceitful sensible pleasures, in which they live.”

"Through this insensate love it happens that they so persistently fly from humility, meekness and poverty and evade all that pertains to the true virtue of penance and abnegation of self. And yet these virtues are truly acceptable in My eyes and according to my justice; for the holy, the honorable, the just actions, are to be rewarded with eternal glory, whereas the contrary ones are to be visited by everlasting punishment." 

"This truth earthly and carnal eyes do not see, nor do they care to attend to the light which teaches them. But thou, soul, observe it and write it in thy heart, taking an example from the incarnate Word and from His Mother, and imitating Them closely therein. She was holy and, in my estimation, most acceptable to Christ; to Her was due all the veneration and worship of men, and even more than they could give; yet I provided and ordained in Her regard that She receive no honor or recognition at that time, so that She, as the Mistress of truth, might be the most shining example of all that is holy, perfect, estimable and safest for the instruction and guidance of My elect. She was to be the shining example of humility, of retirement, of contempt and horror for the dreadful vanity of the world, of love for sufferings, tribulations, insults, afflictions and dishonors inflicted by creatures. All holiness is adverse and contrary to the applause, honors and estimation of the world, and I decreed that the most pure Mary should not be burdened by them, nor do I desire that My friends should enjoy or be pleased with them. If for My glory it sometimes happens that they become known to the world, it is not because they have desired it or looked for it; but because they, always remaining in the humility and in the sentiment proper to their state, resign themselves to My Providence. For themselves and as far as they are concerned, they seek and love that which the world despises and which the incarnate Word and His most holy Mother strove after and have taught."

This was the answer which the Lord gave to my wondering inquiry and thus did He instruct me in regard to what I should seek and strive after.

Read: Volume I Book II Chapter I