A name better than earthly riches, Mary: Day 032

A name better than earthly riches

St. Alphonsus wonders: What price could we possibly place on a name like Mary’s, so full of graces and eternal benefits?

St. Bernard, enflamed with love, raises his heart to his good mother and says with tenderness, “O great one! O pious one! You who are worthy of all praise, most holy Virgin Mary!

“Your name is so sweet and amiable that it can’t be pronounced without enflaming those who do so with love toward you and God. The thought of it need only occur to the mind of those who love you to move them to love you more, and to console them. You can’t be named without enflaming their hearts; you can’t be thought of by those who love you without filling their minds with joy.”

“If riches comfort the poor,” says Richard of Saint Lawrence, “because they relieve them in their distress, how much more does your name, O Mary, comfort us than any earthly riches! It comforts us in the anguishes of this life. Your name, O Mary, is far better than riches, because it can better relieve poverty.”

In sum, St. Methodius says, “Your name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings.” So filled with such graces and blessings is her name, declares St. Bonaventure of Our Lady, that her name “cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to the one who speaks it devoutly.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
How is Mary’s name more precious than wealth? What kind of poverty does it relieve?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of Blessed Henry Suso: O most sweet name! O Mary, what must you yourself be, if your name alone is so lovable and gracious!

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