Mystical City of God - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch24 - Mary prepares to leave Elizabeth

Mystical City of God

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the day the Blessed Virgin Mary prepared to leave the house of Zachariah and Elizabeth. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to obtain and remain in a state of readiness to God's will. She says, "My daughter, the happy souls which God has chosen for his intimate friendship and perfection must keep themselves in continual readiness and peace, in order to perform all that his Majesty may ordain without hesitation or delay. That is what I did when the Most High commanded me to leave the beloved retreat of my house and betake myself to Elisabeth; likewise, when he ordered me to return. I obeyed in all these things with joyful alacrity; and although I had received so many benefits from Elisabeth and her family and so many tokens of love and friendship, as thou hast seen, yet, knowing the will of the Lord, I set aside all obligation and my own inclination and followed them only so far as was strictly demanded by charity and compassion, and in so far as the promptest obedience to the divine command permitted."

"My dearest daughter, how will you not hasten to obtain this true and perfect resignation as soon as you know its vast value! How pleasing it is in the eyes of the Lord, and how profitable for your soul! Labor then to attain it in imitation of me, as I have already so often invited you and urged you. The greatest hindrances toward its attainment are the leanings and special likings to earthly things; for these make the soul unworthy of the caresses of the Lord and of knowing fully his will. And even if the soul knows his will, the base love of unworthy things will keep the soul from fulfilling it; for on account of its inclinations, it will be wanting in the ready and joyful obedience required by the Lord. Take notice of this danger, my daughter, and do not allow any particular affection to enter into your heart, for I wish that you be well versed and perfect in this art of divine love and that your obedience be that of an angel, and your love that of a seraphim."