II. " And Mary rising up in those days, went into the mountainous country with haste, into a city of Judea." (Luke i. 39.) Admire the promptness of her obedience to the divine Spirit. Neither the tediousness nor the difficulties attending a long journey, neither the delicacy of her sex, nor her lately acquired dignity, could deter her from undertaking the journey. This journey was not undertaken from vain ceremony nor compliment; not out of curiosity nor doubt in regard to what the angel had said, but from a motive of pure zeal for the glory of God and a desire of assisting her neighbor. Meditate on her singular modesty, recollection, and devotion, with which she entertained the Son of God; and learn how you ought to entertain the same God when you carry Him in your breast under the sacramental forms.
III. All those who are full of the divine Spirit naturally tend towards the mountain of perfection. They despise the world and soar above it, and their thoughts are centred in heaven. " Save thyself in the mountain," said the angel to Lot. (Gen. xix. 17.) Besides, they act with vigor, with speed, and with fervor; for, as St. Ambrose writes, " The grace of the Holy Ghost knows no lingering delays." Examine whether or not, in your thoughts and desires, you adhere to inferior things, and linger in the way that leads to the mountain of perfection.
TUESDAY.
Entrance into the House of Elizabeth.
I. Mary having entered into the house of Elizabeth, Saluted her first, though herself the greater in dignity. Thus Christian charity should prompt every one to act. Imagine what modesty and charity were displayed upon the occasion. There were no empty compliments nor
