Opening Prayer
Lord, deliver me from loving Thy gifts more than I love Thee, the Giver. I appreciate all Thou hast made, but I look to Thee alone for my happiness. Let me not be like a foolish bride who cherishes the gold of the ring but has no desire to see the Bridegroom’s face.
I petition Thee for the grace to love Thy gifts only in order to love Thee, the Bridegroom, more. Grant that I may see every earthly blessing as an “engagement ring”—a pledge of Thy love meant to bind me to Thee, not turn my heart away. Let me hold fast to Thee, who wantest to give me Thy very self.
Amen.
Luke 11:27-28
27 And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. 28 But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine uses the analogy of a bridegroom giving a ring: “Wouldn’t she be found guilty of adultery in her love for the gift?” This Church Father perspective reminds the Mystical Body that created things are “pledges of love” intended to bind us to Him. This is critical for the Liturgical life; we must “pass on by” money, health, and honors to reach the “end, Christ Himself”. This is the “Science of salvation”, leading us to hold fast to the love of God.
Augustine warns that “God doesn’t forbid you to love created things”, but He forbids setting your heart on them as your source of happiness. He points out the “irony” when a gift, intended to bind us to the Giver, actually turns our heart away from Him. We must love the “Face” of the Giver above the “gold” of the gift.
“The bridegroom’s giving her a pledge of his love has served, not to bind her to him, but to turn her heart away from him!… love the one who made them.”
— St. Augustine
Mary and the Magisterium
Mary is the “Mirror without tarnish” who possessed the “generosity” to give back everything to God. The Magisterium, through the Bishop, “preserves the unity” by teaching the “Dignity of the priesthood” as a service to the Giver. The Bishop must not be “puffed up with haughty thoughts” due to his rank, which is a gift, but must remain a servant leader. Mary, as the “Treasure of the Lord”, helps us hold fast to the One who made them.
- Is there a "ring"—a possession, relationship, or honor—that has made me "turn my face away" from the Bridegroom?
- How can I use that gift today to specifically "praise the Giver"?
Closing Prayer
My Creator, you’re worthy to be loved above all things. Teach me always to see in the gifts I receive the hand of the one who loves me.
Amen.
