MARY'S CHARITY TOWARDS HER NEIGHBOUR

 Mary's Charity 

So great was Mary's charity when on earth, that she helped the needy without even being asked. This was the case at the marriage feast at Cana, when she told her Son that family's distress: 

"They have no wine, and asked Him to work a miracle." (Jn 2:3)

With what speed she hastened to help her elderly cousin, St Elizabeth,  as soon as she heard of her condition and knew she needed help. 

"She went with haste into the hill country" (Lk 1:39).

St. Bonaventure applies these words to Mary: "Mary so loved the world as to give her only begotten Son." 

Nor has this love of Mary for us diminished, says St. Bonaventure, "now that she is in heaven, but it has increased, for now she sees better the miseries of mankind." He continues: 

"Great was the mercy of Mary towards the wretched when she was still in exile on earth; it is far greater now that she reigns in heaven."

Blessed is he, says the Holy Mother, who listens to my instructions, pays attention to my charity and in imitation of me, exercises it himself towards others.

St. Gregory Nazianzen assures us that: "There is nothing by which we can, with greater certainty, gain the affection of Mary than by charity towards our neighbour."

Therefore, as our Lord exhorts us: "Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful"  (Lk 6:36). Mary seems to be saying the same to her children. It is   certain that our charity towards our neighbour will be the measure of that which God and Mary will show us. Give and it will be given to you... for the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you."(Lk 6: 38)

St. Methodius used to say: Give to the poor and receive paradise." St. John Chrysostom put it this way. "Anyone who assists the needy makes God his debtor."

O Mother of Mercy, obtain  for me the grace to imitate you in holy charity, both towards God and my neighbour. 

Amen

Cited from the book, The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori