Wednesday, December 20 : Saint Catherine of Siena

Mary, temple of the Trinity, hearth of divine fire, mother of mercy…, you are the new shoot (Isa 11:1), which brought forth the flower that gives fragrance to the world, the Word, the only Son of God. This Word was sown in you, fertile earth (Mt 13:3ff.). You hid the fire in the ashes of our humanity. Vessel of humility, where the light of true wisdom burns…, by the fire of your love, by the flame of your humility, you drew the eternal Father to yourself and to us… Thanks to that light, O Mary, you were never like the foolish virgins (Mt 25:1ff.), but you were filled with the virtue of prudence. That is why you wanted to know how the angel’s words to you could be accomplished. You knew that “nothing is impossible with God”; you had no doubt of that. So why say: “I do not know man”? It was not because you were lacking in faith; your profound humility made you say that. You did not doubt God’s power; you saw yourself as unworthy of such a great marvel. You were troubled by the angel’s word; it was not out of fear. In the very light of God, it seems to me that it was rather out of admiration. And what did you admire, O Mary, if not the immensity of God’s goodness? Looking at yourself, you considered yourself to be unworthy of that grace and it left you stupefied. Your question is the proof of your humility. You were not filled with fear, but only with admiration before the immense goodness of God compared to your littleness, to your humble condition (Lk 1:48).

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team