THE love of Jesus for His Mother is another reason why the Blessed Virgin could not be allowed to see corruption in the tomb.
St. John Damascene says: “He Who has commanded men to love and honor their parents certainly does not turn away from this sweet law. Without being bound by the law He, Himself established, the Son of God conforms Himself to it freely.:
From this premise, St. Germanus of Constantinople concludes:
“A loving child desires the presence of his mother, and the mother likewise aspires to live with her child. It is right then that you should ascend to your Son, the Fruit of your womb, you whose heart burns with love for God; right, too, that God in complete filial affection He bears towards His Mother should call her to Him so that she may live closely with Him. Thus, dead to all passing things, you have journeyed to the eternal tabernacles where God makes His home; and henceforth, O Mother of God, you will no longer quit His most sweet company.”
“Would he truly love His Mother,” asks the abbot of Sprinckirdsbach, “if lie refused her what He has accorded so magnificently to other saints? Elias ascended into heaven in a chariot of fire, and the Mother of God corrupts in a tomb! If, after the soul alone departed, the earth has kept her holy body, why would the Son refuse to the relics of His Mother the honor and veneration that He wished to have given to no matter what martyr and confessor?”
Therefore St. Francis de Sales considers it wrong to doubt that Jesus Christ has Himself observed in the most perfect way the divine Commandment by which children are ordered to honor their parents, and in conclusion asks: “What son would not bring his mother back to life and would not bring her into paradise after life, death if he could?”
IV. Practical Application:
Obedience
Christ's filial love is summarized by the Evangelist St. Luke in one sentence: “He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them” (Luke 2, 5). Obedience. “He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross” (Philip. 2, 8). Obedience was the epitome of Christ's life on earth. Obedience is the strongest proof of holiness. It is the death of self-will, of inordinate pride and overbearing self-sufficiency. We cannot die to ourselves, unless we obey.
But while we admire the obedience of Jesus, we can also learn how to exercise authority from Mary and Joseph. With what charity and meekness, with what humility and deference they issued their commands to Jesus! He alone knows how to command who has a deep respect for those under him. Humility is indispensable both for commanding and obeying.
V. Resolution:
I must not consider the person who commands, but God Whose will is made known to me through the one who commands. When I obey, I wish to do not my will but the will of God.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer
O Lord, we beg Thee to grant us the grace of true humility through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; at the same time take from our hearts the desires of the flesh and the eyes, so that, living wisely, justly and piously, we may obtain eternal rewards. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
