Mary in the Temple (V)

She resolved to love God with all her heart From her childhood, Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit, and as she grew grace increased within her. She then resolved to love God with all her heart, that He may never be offended by her words or actions. Thus she paid no heed to earthly goods and gave all she could to the poor. She was so moderate in her meals that she would take only the bare minimum to sustain her body. When she understood through the Holy Scriptures that God was to be born of a virgin to redeem the world, her heart became so engulfed in the flames of divine love that she had no other thought or desire than God. Finding her happiness in God alone, she even avoided her parents, fearing that they would distract her from thinking of God. Finally, she hoped to live at the time of the Messiah and to become the servant of the holy virgin who would merit to become his mother.