The May Magnificat (II)

Mary, on her trip to visit Elizabeth with the Child Jesus maturing in her womb, was seen as mirrored by the budding flowers of the countryside through which she passed; and according to popular legend, flowers - ladyslippers - were seen to spring up around her steps "most beauteous". In the total union with God into which Mary was brought and entered at the Annunciation for the divine motherhood, the spiritual formation of Christ in her womb was paralleled by his formation in her heart, mind and soul - to be emulated by us all, as through his infinite human incarnation we all are to become his members, branches of his vine, temples of the Holy Spirit, and adopted sons and daughters of the Father. "For the Almighty has done great things for me, Holy is His name, and His faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him" (Lk 1: 49-50). Saint Augustine observed: "Mary heard God's word and kept it, and so she is blessed. She gave birth to Christ in her heart before giving birth to him in the flesh. She kept God's truth in her mind, a nobler thing than carrying His body in her womb. The truth and the body were both Christ...but what is kept in the mind is of a higher order than what is carried in the womb." (Lesson, Liturgy of the Hours, Presentation of Mary)