God calls Mary home, Mary: Day 257

God calls Mary home

St. Alphonsus considers how Mary might have spent her time between her Son’s ascension and her assumption into heaven, longing to be reunited with him.

According to some writers, the most holy virgin consoled her loving

heart during the time of painful separation after Jesus ascended into heaven by visiting the holy places of Palestine, where her Son had been during his life. She frequently visited at one time the stable at Bethlehem, where her Son was born; at another, the workshop of Nazareth, where her Son had lived so many years poor and despised; now the Garden of Gethsemane, where her Son began his passion; then the praetorium of Pilate, where he was scourged; and the spot on which he was crowned with thorns.

But Mary visited most frequently the Mount of Calvary, where her Son died, and the Holy Sepulcher, in which she had finally left him. In this way the most loving mother soothed the pains of her cruel exile.

Even so, this could not be enough to satisfy her heart, which was unable to find perfect rest in this world. So she was continually sending up sighs to her Lord, exclaiming with David: “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest!” (Ps 55:6). Who will give me wings like a dove, so that I may fly to my God, and there find my rest? “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God” (Ps 42:1). As the wounded stag pants for the fountain, so does my soul, wounded by your love, my God, desire and sigh for you.

Yes, indeed, her sighs penetrate deeply the heart of her God, who indeed so tenderly loves her. Being unwilling, then, to defer any longer the deeply desired consolation of his beloved, God graciously hears her desire, and calls her to his kingdom. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I long for Jesus’ presence in my life as Mary did? Do I reflect on the events of his life as she must have done?

CLOSING PRAYER

Blessed Mother, make my heart like your heart; help me make my own your longing for your precious Son. My hope is to be with you both in heaven forever.

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