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The Light of the World
She was the divinely appointed helper of the new Adam, and by her humility and resignation
to the will of God, she cooperated in the salvation of the human race. By her intercession
she obtains for us every grace that we receive from God. Whoever desires grace from God may
turn to Mary with confidence. God gladly gives His grace through her. To seek graces that do
not come to us through her hands would be a fruitless task. “So mighty art thou, O Lady, and
so great, that he who desires grace and comes not to thee for aid, would have his desires seeking
to fly without wings.” 4
“Take the child and His mother.” Christ in the Eucharist is the center of devotion in the
Church, and near Him is His mother. Christ in the Eucharist should also be the center of devotion
for every Christian. More important than all other devotions is the Mass and the reception
of Communion. But Mary, too, must find a place in our devotions, for she is the Mediatrix of
all graces. Let us be sure that we assist devoutly at Mass, that we understand the mysteries of
the Eucharist, and that we appreciate the privilege of being children of Mary and members of
the mystical body of her divine Son.
Prayer
O almighty and everlasting God, do Thou direct our actions according to Thy good pleasure,
that we may deserve to abound in good works, in the name of Thy beloved Son, who reigneth
with Thee forever. Amen.
At the Manger (1)
With the liturgy we acknowledge the helpless child in the manger to be the strong one, the
almighty and divine King, the Lord of all, the founder and Master of the “kingdom of truth and
life.” His is “a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace” (Preface for
the feast of Christ the King). Faith sees a crown and scepter that are invisible to corporeal eyes.
We gaze in wonder at the enthronement of this King. God the Father proclaims Him King over
Sion, the Church; and the new King announces to the whole world: “I am appointed King by
Him over Sion, His holy mountain, preaching His commandment” (Ps 2:6). Though we find
Him here apparently helpless in the manger, all power is given to Him in heaven and on earth
(Mt 28:18). I believe in Thy kingship O Lord; I submit to Thy rule; I am fortunate to be ruled
by so gracious a King. Unreservedly I trust in Thy authority. In the service of Thee and Thy
kingdom I wish to live and die.
The foundations upon which this King builds His empire are not those of flesh and blood.
He depends on no mighty armies and sets no value on nobility of birth. He is not dependent
on the fickle attachment of men, and has no need of the intelligence and talents of those who
serve Him. Money and wealth are not the means of advancement in His kingdom, but the
possession of grace is all-important. “No man can come to Me except the Father, who hath
sent Me, draw him” ( Jn 6:44). The ideal courtier is he who listens eagerly to the promptings of
grace and follows them. “Every one that hath heard of the Father and hath learned cometh to
Me” ( Jn 6:45). These are the true children of God. “Every one that is of the truth heareth My
4
Dante, Paradiso, canto 33, lines 13ff.
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