What is the meaning of the mystery of the Purification? Is it that Mary should be subject to the legal observances that bind sinners?What is the meaning of the mystery of the Purification? Is it that Mary should be subject to the legal observances that bind sinners?
The fall of our first parents unchained passions at first held captive. These passions sullied and stained the conception and birth of every human creature, and, to complete the misfortune, every child born of woman was stricken with the divine malediction. Every mother bore in her womb a child of death, and with pain brought a sinner into the world. Here is the reason why God required Her purification. But Mary is purity itself. The awful law of sin was suspended in Her favor, and, whilst every conception and every birth around Her were corrupted by sin, Her conception and birth were sanctified by grace. God, in whose sight the angels are not pure, calls Her "all fair and without stain" (Canticle 4:7). The Mother of the Word incarnate conceived in purity and brought forth without pain. Overshadowed by the power of the Most High, Her virginity suffered no detriment when She conceived of the Holy Ghost. Before, and during, and after Her child-bearing She is a virgin. Why, therefore, Her purification?
It is the law. Mary desired to give an example of respect and submission along with Her divine Son. Tenderly She bears Jesus in Her arms; She presses His heart to Hers, Her ears to His lips, and He seems to say to Her already what He will so often repeat in His public life: "One iota or one tittle shall not pass from the law till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:18)
She submits Herself, therefore, to an observance to which She is not obliged, for the edification of the Jews, who would not have understood Her abstention, but more especially for the edification of Christians, whom She thus engages in a perfect reverence for the law of God. "It is the law! " Behold, Christian soul, what you ought to say every time you find yourselves in presence of a commandment of God or of the Church, or of your lawful superiors. Away with vain protests conjured up by the imagination to obtain dispensations! Away with false reasonings, the inspirations of self-love and sensuality! You put forward the delicate state of your health; are you sure that it will be made more feeble by your observance? Business is pressing; but is it really true that it will suffer by the rest God requires of you, by the Mass you ought to hear, by the prayer you ought to offer? You urge the duties of society, in which no failure is allowed; but should you not be agreeable and pleasing to God before being so to men? Your dignity is offended by the tyrannical commands of your own equals; but what is this dignity of a sinner in relation to the will of him who, while it lasts, represents the will of God? And will it not contribute to your perfection if you take a humiliation in good part?
You speak of natural repugnances; let them be conquered. The word of our Lord is plain: "Narrow is the way that leadeth to life" (Matthew 7); and again: "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away." (Matthew 11)
Away with all distinctions between grave and light observances! Everything is grave when there is question of eternal salvation and of perfection which is its price. God blesses the servants who are "faithful over a few things, and invites them to participate in the joy of the Lord."
Away with those negligences which you so readily permit under the pretext that they bind your conscience but lightly! One light fault brings on another. The soul that is entangled in light faults easily stumbles and often falls most disgracefully. "Who loveth the danger shall perish in it." (Ecclus. 3)
Onward, Christians! It is the law. Show yourselves generous, like your holy Mother, in the love of God, the salvation of your soul, the perfection of your life; in the edification of those who look to you for an example, and whom you may so easily draw to the faithful service of God. Not a step outside the law till all be fulfilled!