In the Spirit of Sanctæ Mariæ Sabbato ~ IV. classis
Commemoration: St. Prisca, Virgin and Martyr
On this Saturday dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, we meditate on two passages of Sacred Scripture: Titus 3:4-7, a proclamation of God’s saving grace, and Luke 2:15-20, which recounts the humble shepherds’ journey to see the newborn Savior. These passages, placed in the context of the Mass for Sanctæ Mariæ Sabbato and the commemoration of St. Prisca, invite us to ponder the riches of God’s mercy and the virtue of humility as exemplified by Our Lady, the shepherds, and the saints.
Titus 3:4-7: The Manifestation of Divine Mercy
“But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us, by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Spirit; whom He hath poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life everlasting” (Titus 3:4-7).
In these words, St. Paul marvels at the gratuitous mercy of God, who sends His Son to redeem fallen humanity. The “goodness and kindness of God” is not something we earn, but rather, it flows from His infinite love and desire to save us. The “laver of regeneration,” understood by the Church Fathers as Holy Baptism, is the entryway into the life of grace.
St. Ambrose, commenting on baptism, writes:
“The Church is washed in the laver of water, but the Spirit is needed so that this water may bring forth fruit unto eternal life. It is not mere water alone, but the action of the Holy Spirit that regenerates man.”
This regeneration and renewal is accomplished through the Holy Spirit, who is poured out “abundantly.” The word “abundantly” reminds us of the superabundance of divine grace—a favorite theme of the Church Fathers. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, repeatedly speaks of God’s mercy as an overflowing fountain:
“Thou, O Lord, hast not dealt with me according to my sins, but according to Thy boundless mercy. Thou hast poured forth Thy grace beyond measure.”
The passage culminates with our justification by grace and the promise of eternal life as “heirs” of God. How fitting it is to contemplate this truth in light of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose Immaculate Conception made her the perfect vessel of grace. She was not only the recipient of God’s superabundant mercy but also its channel to the world, bringing Christ Himself into our midst.
Luke 2:15-20: The Humble Response to the Incarnation
“And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shown to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:15-20).
This scene is one of humble faith and quiet contemplation. The shepherds, who represent the simple and lowly, respond to the angelic announcement with eagerness and haste. Their immediate journey to Bethlehem is an act of obedience and faith, reminiscent of the Magi’s journey from the East. In their simplicity, the shepherds are unencumbered by pride or doubt; they “see and understand” the truth of the angel’s message.
St. Gregory the Great beautifully reflects on the humility of the shepherds:
“The shepherds were chosen to be the first witnesses of Christ because they were humble men who watched and waited in the quiet of the night. For it is not the proud, but the humble, who are able to behold the glory of God.”
This humility is paralleled in the Virgin Mary, who, though she is the Mother of God, remains hidden and contemplative. St. Luke tells us that Mary “kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.” The Greek word for “pondering” (συμβάλλουσα) implies a deep, meditative reflection, as though she were weaving the events of Christ’s birth into the mystery of His mission.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux writes of Mary’s interior life:
“In the silence of her heart, Mary began to understand the depths of the Incarnation. She saw in the humble crib the majesty of God and in the helpless Infant the salvation of the world. Her heart was a treasury of divine wisdom, where every word and event was stored and meditated upon.”
The shepherds, for their part, glorify and praise God, sharing what they have seen and heard. Their joy is infectious, and their simple testimony causes others to wonder. St. John Chrysostom, reflecting on the shepherds’ response, exhorts the faithful:
“Learn from the shepherds to proclaim the marvels of God. Let not your tongue be silent when your heart is full of joy. The greater the gift, the greater the praise.”
Lessons from the Saints: St. Prisca’s Witness
On this day, we also commemorate St. Prisca, a young Roman virgin and martyr of the early Church. Her steadfast faith and courage in the face of persecution echo the simplicity of the shepherds and the humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Prisca’s life reminds us that true greatness is found in surrendering to God’s will, even in the face of suffering.
The Roman Martyrology praises St. Prisca’s witness:
“At Rome, the birthday of St. Prisca, Virgin and Martyr, who, after many torments, was crowned with martyrdom in the reign of Emperor Claudius.”
Her life is a testimony to the transformative power of grace, which enables even the weak and lowly to triumph in Christ. In her, we see the fulfillment of the promise made in Titus 3:7, that through God’s grace we become heirs of eternal life.
Conclusion
As we meditate on Titus 3:4-7 and Luke 2:15-20, we are reminded of the infinite mercy of God and the humility that opens the soul to His grace. The Blessed Virgin Mary, the shepherds, and St. Prisca all teach us that the path to holiness is one of humility, faith, and surrender to God’s will.
Let us imitate the shepherds by hastening to Christ in the sacraments, glorifying and praising God for the gift of salvation. Let us, like Mary, keep and ponder the mysteries of Christ in our hearts. And may the witness of St. Prisca inspire us to live and, if necessary, die for the faith, confident that God’s grace will bring us to our eternal inheritance.
In the words of St. Augustine:
“Let us, then, rejoice, for we are loved by God. And in that love, let us remain humble, for He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis!
Sancta Prisca, Virgo et Martyr, intercede pro nobis!