Mary was poor, Mary: Day 079

Mary was poor

St. Alphonsus tells how Mary’s detachment from worldly goods allowed her to be content in poverty.

Our most loving Redeemer, so that we might learn from him to despise the things of the world, was pleased to be poor on earth: “Though he was rich,” says St. Paul, “for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). For this reason Jesus Christ exhorts each one who desires to be his disciple: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor . . . and come follow me” (Mt 19:21).

Behold Mary, his most perfect disciple, who indeed imitated his example. Out of love for poverty she did not disdain to marry St. Joseph, who was only a poor carpenter. An angel, speaking of Mary, told St. Bridget that “worldly riches were of no more value in her eyes than dirt.” At her purification in the temple she didn’t offer a lamb, which was the offering prescribed in Leviticus for those who could afford it (see Lv 12:6). Instead, she offered two turtledoves, or two pigeons, which was the offering prescribed for the poor (see Lk 2:24).

In a word, Mary always lived poor, and she died poor. At her death, as far as we know, she left nothing but two poor gowns, to two women who had served her during her life, as it’s recorded by two ancient historians. St. Philip Neri used to say that “whoever loves the things of the world will never become a saint.” We may add what St. Teresa said on the same subject: “Whoever runs after perishable things will himself perish as well.” For this reason Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). They are blessed because they desire nothing but God, and in God they find every good. In poverty they find their paradise on earth, as St. Francis did when he exclaimed, “My God and my all.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Am I content with what I have? Or do I sometimes find myself too attached to possessions? How might I learn to let go?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: My most holy Mother, in this world you desired and loved no other good but God. “Draw me after you” (Sg 1:3), my Lady! Detach me from the world, so that I may love him alone, who alone deserves to be loved.

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