November 15th Fast

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JMJ

". . . Because as yet thou lovest thyself too inordinately, therefore thou art afraid to resign thyself wholly to the will of others.  And yet, what great matter is it, if thou, who art but dust and nothing, subject thyself to a man for God's sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most High, who created all things out of nothing, humbly subjected Myself to man for thy sake?  I became of all men the most humble and the most abject, that thou mightest overcome thy pride with My humility. . . Learn to humble thyself. . . Learn to break thine own wishes, and to yield to thyself to all subjection. . ." 

(Imitation of Christ, Book No. 2, Ch. XIII)

Two oxen, though they are yoked, cannot carry a load very far if they fail to walk in unison.  In the same way, though a couple may be yoked in the bonds of marriage, their ability to move onward to the goal of heaven will be hampered if both spouses do not learn to yield to the other when their wills are at variance.  Yet, even more than this- as the above observation is a rather obvious assessment of the marital vocation- each spouse must learn to trust the other.  Seeing prudence and prayer in place, one should lovingly and obediently subject themselves to the others' thoughtful judgment.  A person may recall that Christ not only called him or her to the married state, but also gave them a specific helpmate.

Pride can too easily worm its way into one's heart, sometimes even making one think he is doing God's will when really he is clinging to his own.  Through the eyes of pride, marriage may appear to be the path to heaven because of the patient endurance of the weaknesses of others; however, through the eyes of humility, we see that it is actually through the strengths and gifts of the other, that one can more easily grow in holiness.

Our dear mother, Mary, was the perfect mother and spouse.  Her example shows a complete trust in God, and in His providential designs.  Twice in her life, she was given to the care of others, and not those immaculately conceived like herself: first to Saint Joseph, and secondly, to Saint John.  She, who was a superior being, willingly subjected herself following the model of her Son who subjected Himself.  May we too learn the humility of the Son and His Mother, and be thankful for the providential designs of the Father who loves us so.