The Wisdom and Blessedness of the Virgin Mary
As we celebrate the Saturday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost with the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Salve, Sancta Parens – our readings from Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 24:14-16 and Luke 11:27-28 invite us to reflect deeply on the role and honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the divine plan of salvation.
Ecclus 24:14-16 reads:
“I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho: as a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatic balm: I yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.”
In these verses, Wisdom speaks of being exalted and spreading a sweet fragrance throughout the world. The Church Fathers have long associated this personification of Wisdom with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is often seen as the Seat of Wisdom. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, in his sermons, eloquently draws this parallel, highlighting how Mary’s exaltation and her virtues spread a spiritual fragrance that leads souls to Christ. St. Bernard writes, “Truly, she is the cedar exalted in Libanus, for her heart has never been stirred by the winds of pride” (Sermon on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
Mary’s life and virtues – purity, humility, and unwavering faith – are like the aromatic balm and myrrh, which symbolize her life of grace and the sweet fragrance of her intercession. Just as the cedars and cypress trees stand tall and firm, Mary stands as a pillar of faith and a model for all Christians.
Luke 11:27-28 presents us with another profound moment in the Gospel:
“And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
In this passage, a woman acknowledges the physical blessedness of Mary as the mother of Jesus. However, Jesus redirects the focus to spiritual blessedness – those who hear the Word of God and keep it. This does not diminish Mary’s blessedness but rather magnifies it, as she is the perfect example of one who heard the Word of God and kept it. St. Augustine notes, “Mary was more blessed in receiving the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To the former, her kinship was of no avail unless she had borne Christ in her heart after a more blessed manner than in her flesh” (Sermon 72A).
The Blessed Virgin Mary, through her “fiat” – her acceptance of God’s will – exemplifies perfect obedience and faith. Her entire life is a testament to hearing and keeping the Word of God. This duality of physical and spiritual blessedness highlights Mary’s unique role in salvation history. As the new Eve, her obedience and faith counteract Eve’s disobedience, bringing forth the Savior into the world.
Reflections for Today:
As we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary today, let us contemplate her virtues and strive to emulate her example. Just as she spread the fragrance of divine grace through her life, we too are called to be the fragrance of Christ in the world. Let our lives reflect the sweet odor of holiness, charity, and obedience to God’s Word.
Let us ask for Mary’s intercession that we may hear the Word of God and keep it, allowing it to transform our hearts and lives. In doing so, we participate in the spiritual motherhood of Mary, bringing Christ to a world in need of His love and mercy.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, exalted like a cedar in Libanus and a rose in Jericho, guide us in our spiritual journey and help us to bear the sweet fragrance of a life lived in God’s grace.
In the spirit of Salve, Sancta Parens, let us conclude with a prayer:
Prayer:
O Mary, Seat of Wisdom and Mother of our Savior, we honor you today as the fragrant rose in Jericho and the towering cedar in Libanus. Through your example of faith and obedience, help us to hear the Word of God and keep it. May your intercession bring us closer to your Son, Jesus Christ, and may our lives, like yours, spread the sweet fragrance of divine grace to all we encounter. Amen.