Opening Prayer
Lord, I reflect on the fact that only a few years ago I did not exist. You called me forth from the abyss of nothingness, not because you had any need of me, but solely out of your goodness, giving me a nature adapted to live eternally with you.
I repent of the unruly affections that have led me to depart from you, my Creator. Grant me the grace to return to the nature you gave me, prostrating myself as the work of your hands and recognizing that I am nothing compared to Thy majesty.
Amen.
John 20:1-2, 11-18
1And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2She ran, therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
11But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid. 13They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him. 14When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus. 15Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). 17Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God. 18Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.
St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de Sales provides a “meditation on creation” to break our attachment to sin. He evaluates our origins: “Only a few years ago… your soul didn’t even exist.”. We often act as if we created ourselves. Francis de Sales reminds us: “Lord, I’m nothing compared to You.”. The “spiritual paper cuts” of our ego are healed when we humble ourselves utterly. Our duty is to be the “mansion” where God finds “no spot or wrinkle”
Reflecting on the fact that only a few years ago we did not exist, St. Francis de Sales invites a meditation on being “called forth” from the abyss of nothingness. This realization should “humble the soul utterly”, fostering a deep gratitude for a nature adapted to live eternally in union with God. Recognizing that we are the “work of His hands” serves as a powerful antidote to pride and a call to return to Him through loving service.
“Consider that only a few years ago you hadn’t yet been born… God brought you out of that nothingness… not because he had any need of you, but solely out of his goodness.”
— St. Francis de Sales
Mary and the Magisterium
“Lord, I’m nothing compared to you”, St. Francis de Sales prays, meditating on the abyss of nothingness from which we were called. Mary lived this realization in her “lowliness”. She knew she was “nothing” without the call of the Creator. By humbling herself utterly, she became the highest nature in the visible world, showing that the recognition of one’s own “nothingness” is the secret to being filled with the plenitude of God.
- Am I "pursuing beauty outside myself" while ignoring the "Beauty within"?
- How does the reality that God "had no need of me" change my sense of entitlement?
Closing Prayer
Lord, I am nothing without You. Thank You for loving me into existence.
Amen.
