389 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts 3. “she entered the house of Zechariah” etc. (Lk 1:40). Consider with what affection this guest from afar, the Virgin Mother of God, greeted Elizabeth upon entering into the house of Zechariah, and finally, what was the result of this greeting: namely, the sanctification of the Infant still concealed in the maternal womb. You too, gather all forces of your soul; and with all possible focus, humility, and diligence, prepare yourself to greet Jesus who is soon going to meet you, so that the greeting, rich in sublime feelings and in sweet words, may result in the sanctification of your soul and in its strengthening for all difficulties. After Holy Communion 1. “the child leaped in her womb” (Lk 1:41). Consider that there was no other cause for John’s joy (who leaped in the maternal womb) than the arrival of Christ the Lord, also confined under the maternal bosom. Oh, how much you should rejoice that inside your heart dwells the One Who was hidden behind two walls, that is, behind two breasts, and yet He made John so joyful that he who still did not speak nor see the sunlight, leaped with joy because he felt the closeness of the Sun of Justice! But I believe that you lost spiritual joy for the sake of transient and vain delight, although the delights of the whole world cannot be compared even with the least particle of the heavenly joy. Oh! If you are just, as one living among just religious, why do you not rejoice in the Lord alone? [f.124r] 2. “was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk 1:41). After the joyful leaping of the Infant, the Mother is filled with the Holy Spirit, that is with the Spirit Who infused the Infant, sanctified him, and made him cheerful. For joy is, as it were, a companion of the Holy Spirit, and vice versa, He is a companion of joy; and joy is certainly a fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22). Nevertheless, consider that neither should sadness be always avoided, nor is it is always bad. Sometimes, a great and true spirit is concealed in a sad heart and restrains it with sadness, lest it be
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