most exalted and sublime actions are not always the most pleasing to God; that the highest degree of virtue is to submit ourselves to others; and that we ought to conform our exterior to the condition of our calling, and to perform the ordinary actions which belong to that calling with perfection. "And His mother kept all these words in her heart." Do you also keep the word of God in your heart, and it will preserve you.
II. What an admirable example of obedience is conveyed in these short words: "and He was subject to them"! Ponder with St. Bernard, "who, and to whom? God, to men: God, to whom the angels are subject, whom the principalities and powers obey, was subject to Mary." In what was He subject? In everything, even in the meanest. " The Word and Wisdom of God did not despise," but obeyed, "a woman and a carpenter."
III. With good reason does the same Saint exclaim: "Learn, O man, to obey; dust, learn to submit; be ashamed, proud ashes. God humbled Himself; and dare you exalt yourself? God submits Himself to man; and do you seek to rule, and to prefer yourself to your Creator? If, being man, you refuse to follow the example of your equal man, surely it will not be beneath you to follow the example of your Creator."
SATURDAY.
Christ's Obedience to His Parents. — II.
I. In order that you may be the more excited to imitate this admirable example of obedience that Christ has given you in regard to your superiors or directors under whom God has placed you, or may hereafter place you, meditate on the many advantages that are derived from this virtue. Nothing more acceptable can be offered to
