Mystical City of God - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch23 - The naming of John the Baptist

Mystical City of God

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the council and instruction the Virgin Mary gave to St. Elizabeth as her exit draws near. The child John is circumcised and given his name and Zachariah prophesies. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us in our need to be dead to the world saying, "Your Spouse, my dearest daughter, does not wish your ears to be enthralled by deceitful earthly talk, nor contaminated by the flatteries of the world. Therefore I desire that you keep them closed and well guarded against all these poisonous influences. If your Lord is pleased to speak to your heart the words of eternal life, it is proper that you yourself be deaf and lifeless to all that is earthly. All else should be to you a deadly torment in comparison with the caresses of his love. Remember that you owe Him the perfection of your love and that all hell will combine against you, in order to ensnare you by your natural tenderness to be sweet and loving toward creatures, and less grateful to the eternal God. Watch over yourself, and see that you resist this unfaithfulness, trusting in your beloved Master and Spouse."