👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾The Mystery of #Thursday #Praise of the Virgin Mary
Brethren, today we behold the fourth day of thanksgiving, the fifth day of creation a day on which the heavens are illumined with the light of the Queen of Heaven, our Lady, the Theotokos. On this day the throne of light is adorned, and the saints, prophets, and apostles gather more abundantly, for she, the Mother of God, has entered to bless and to intercede.
As Moses beheld the bush in the wilderness that burned yet was not consumed (Exod. 3:1-4), so we behold the mystery of Mary: in her womb dwelt the Fire of Divinity, yet her virginity was not consumed. Just as the divine nature of Christ remained unchanged in taking flesh, so the bush remained green in the midst of flame. He who is God by nature became man without ceasing to be what He was; through this union, salvation has visited us. Therefore, let us cry: “O Lady, pray for us, that we may not lose the grace and glory of Your Son, who became man for our salvation.”
Mary as the New Eve
Eve, through disobedience, closed the gate of Eden, and the cherubim with the flaming sword stood guard (Gen. 3:24). But Mary, through obedience, opened it again.
Saint James the Apostle teaches: The day of Adam’s death was changed into a day of life; the serpent’s deceit was replaced by Gabriel’s truth; Eve’s fall was reversed by Mary’s acceptance of the divine Word. What was torn down in Eden was rebuilt on earth by the Virgin. Where the serpent sowed lies, Gabriel spoke truth, loosing the bonds of death. The very door through which death entered became the door through which life returned.
The devil begot Cain the bringer of death through Eve’s deception; but through Mary’s conception by the Holy Spirit came the Living Word, who brought eternal life. In Eden Adam was cast out into exile; on Calvary, through the Cross of Mary’s Son, the thief entered again into Paradise with his forefather Adam. The poisoned counsel of the serpent was answered by the honeyed counsel of the Archangel. Through Mary’s “Yes,” the tower of deceit was demolished, and the Tree of Life Christ’s Body and Blood was offered to the faithful.
The Joy and Dignity of Her Motherhood
What greater joy could a woman know than to bear a child? Yet Mary’s joy surpassed all, for she bore God Himself. The angel declared: “You shall bear a son and call His name Emmanuel” (Matt. 1:20–21). which being interpreted is, God with us. With out sin he become one with us .to save His people from their sins. If He were only God, He could not suffer; if He were only man, He could not save. In the Virgin’s womb both were united without confusion, for the salvation of the world.
Saint John Chrysostom warns us not to profane so great a gift: If we, once children of wrath, have been made children of grace through such a birth, how much greater will be our punishment if we live unworthily!
The Magi’s gifts speak to the mystery:
Gold for His kingship, reflecting the purity of those who believe in Him.
Frankincense for His divinity, pure as faith and conduct must be.
Myrrh for His death, healing what was broken, uniting what was divided, restoring Adam to communion with the angels.
The Mystery of the Second Creation
From Adam’s side came Eve; from a Virgin’s womb came Christ. In this, the Creator was born of His creature, and He who made His mother was nourished at her breast. The flesh He formed from nothing He now takes as His own. This is a mystery beyond the grasp of the senses seen only through the eyes of faith.
Therefore, let us constantly call upon her intercession, for she is the good among the saints, the chosen vessel of the Incarnation. The apostles themselves magnified her, knowing the abundance of grace poured upon the world through her Son’s humanity.
Continues 👇🏾