Mary in the Midst of Israel's Waiting (XI)

"Kings shall shut their mouths before him" (Is 52:15) In scrutinizing the Scriptures, the Blessed Virgin prayed in the midst of Israel, in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, which seemed like a great mystery: "Kings shall shut their mouths before him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand" (Is 52:15). And the prophet said: "I the Lord will hasten it in its time" (Is 60:22). God was going to manifest himself, but the arrival of his salvation could only be a surprise, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Is 55:9). Who would be ready for the day of his coming? "'The Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!' says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like launderer's soap; and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver" (Mal 3.1-3). He will be a sign of contradiction as "princes plot against the Lord and his Messiah" (Ps 2:2). There will also be an upheaval among the shepherds: "I will take my flock from their hands" (Ezek 34:1-10). "The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing, and we marvel at it" (Ps 118:22-23). And, according to a mysterious plan, the nations on this day will be associated to the Covenant and the priesthood: "The time comes, that I will gather all nations and languages; and they shall come, and shall see my glory." (...) "Of them also will I take for priests and for Levites" (Is 66, 18-21). "Kings shall shut their mouths before him" (Is 52:15).