Thursday, November 21, 2013

Behold the heavenly tabernacle !

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast Day -November 21*
*The Feast celebrates Mary as a temple,
where God dwelt in a special way through her role as Mother of Jesus.
 
"Go then, go, O Queen of the world, O Mother of God, go joyfully to
the house of God and there await the coming of the divine Spirit
who will make you the Mother of the divine Word." - St Germanus
 
 
 
From the Byzantine liturgy:

The most pure temple of the Savior, His most precious bridal chamber, the Virgin, sacred treasury of God's glory, enters today into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit.  Wherefore the angels of God are singing: "Behold the heavenly tabernacle!" ... Wherefore let us cry out to her with all our strength: "Joy to you, fulfillment of the Creator's plan!" At the moment when the young girl Mary was presented in the glorious Temple, "everything that humans build was already diminished by the praise in her heart." (Rilke)

 

"God Himself, with the whole heavenly court, was greatly pleased
and glorified the day when He beheld His spouse being led to the Temple. 
Never had He seen a holier creature, nor one whom He loved so tenderly,
come to offer herself to Him." - Bernardine de Bustis (+1515)
 
 
"Hers was the happiness of first bearing in her womb Him
whom she would obey as her master." - St Augustine

 

No comments:

Post a Comment