The price of redemption is found in Mary’s womb, Mary: Day 034

The price of redemption is found in Mary’s womb

St. Bonaventure considers what kind of magnificent price had to be paid to purchase so great a redemption as ours.

“Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her” (see Prv 31:10). This is the price about which the Apostle Paul speaks: “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).

This price had to be great to redeem the whole world and the entire human race. So it was necessary that the price have both a divine and a human nature. Where is that price found? Nowhere but in the womb of the glorious Virgin. Thus one reads in Isaiah: “Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel” (see Is 7:14). “Emmanuel” is translated “God with us.”

It was not fitting that a virgin should have as a son anyone but God, nor for God to have as a mother anyone but a virgin. That price, then, could only be found in the Virgin Mary. “Far and from the uttermost coasts”: because in him is united highest and lowest, first with last. That price by which the entire human race is redeemed is from afar. Because the lowest is redeemed, it is the highest price; because the last is redeemed, it is the first; and man was the last of the creatures to be made.

Whose is this price? This price by which we are able to reach the kingdom of heaven belongs to this woman, the Blessed Virgin. It is hers, because it is taken from her, offered by her, possessed by her. It is taken from her in the incarnation of the Word; offered by her in the redemption of the human race; possessed by her in attaining the glory of paradise. She brought forth this price, paid this price, and possesses this price.—St. Bonaventure, Conferences on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Am I grateful to the Blessed Virgin for her role in the price of my salvation? Do I have a sense of indebtedness to her that urges me to make sure that in my case, that price was not paid in vain?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: Receive me and don’t reject me, my Mother. The price of my salvation is already paid; my Savior has already shed his blood, which is enough to save an infinity of worlds. This blood has only to be applied to someone such as I am.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.