THE EPISTLE OF S. PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS. CHAPTER III.
1 Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above ; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God :
2 Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.
3 For you are dead ; and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory.
All that S. Paul here says is applicable in a most excellent manner to Mary, as descriptive of her life after the Resurrection and Ascension of her Son, and of her future glorious manifestation at the last day.
15 And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body : and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.
17 All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
It was Mary who gave in the New Testament the first example of singing in grace in the heart to the Lord, and the great model of spiritual canticles by her sublime Magnificat. [See supra, Eph. v. 18-20.] As she uttered it, not alone the word to Christ and His peace were dwelling and rejoicing in her heart, but Christ Himself the Incarnate Word and Wisdom of God was dwelling in her and rejoicing with her.
" Since thou art once for all dead to the world, touch not, I beg thee, taste not, handle not any more the things of the world; [Col. ii. 20-21.] but ever in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, withdraw thyself from the world's converse, singing not to man but to God. And, as was used to do the holy Mary, ponder in thy heart. [Luke ii. 19.] As a good little lamb, ruminate in thy mouth the divine commandments, that thou too mayest say : ' I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.' " [Ps. cxviii. 27. S. Ambrose, De Inst. Virg. xvi. 103.]
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoveth in the Lord.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things : for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
24 Serve ye the Lord Christ.
CHAPTER IV.
12 Epaphras saluteth you, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, who is always solicitous for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God.
Is not Mary the Mother of Christ Jesus always solicitous for us in prayers, and for the same end, viz., that we may stand perfect, fulfilling in all things the will of God.
18 Be mindful of my bonds.
Much more may Mary appeal to us her children, and say : Be mindful of my Dolours.