was so in regard to all mankind: For God "hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble; He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent away empty." (Luke i. 52.) If you, therefore, wish to be favored by Almighty God, if you desire to be exalted, and if you wish to be filled with good things, learn to be humble, and, with St. Bernard, " love to be unknown and not regarded."
THURSDAY.
The Stay with Elizabeth.
I. Although the presence of the virgin mother and her divine son were so beneficial to Elizabeth and the Baptist, it did not restore speech to Zachary. We may piously believe, however, that he received many spiritual favors. The restoration of his speech was reserved by Christ for the honor of His precursor, at His birth. Learn hence, to reverence the divine providence of God in the dispensation of His favors, and respectfully abstain from prescribing to it the time and manner of affording assistance; but patiently wait, with Zachary, the divine pleasure.
II. The Virgin remained in the house of Zachary about the space of three months, displaying in her words and actions that humility and charity which had rendered her worthy to become the Mother of God. Conceive how holy was the conversation of the blessed company, and what benefit was derived from it. " If at the first entrance," says St. Ambrose, " the benefit was so great, that at Mary's salutation the infant leaped for joy, and his mother was filled with the Holy Ghost, what do we think ought Mary's presence to have added by the benefit of so long a time?" Love, therefore, to converse with
