May 17th

Chapter Fourteen of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis

Mary's Love and Sorrow

The infant Jesus remained at Jerusalem after the Pasch and was lost; and His parents did not at first perceive it on their return....Alas! how could there be a festival for the parents experiencing so harrowing a trial.  For there is no misfortune more dreadful for the sad and afflicted, than to lose that which may alone serve as a consolation to them....

Likewise, it was to give us a model of patience in grief that God permitted Mary to lose her Son, that after having lost Him she might seek Him weeping; that she might find Him only after three days, and that after having found Him, she might more joyfully take back with her her Treasure.

Let none dare to rely upon himself as if he possessed Christ alone for himself.  Let no one scorn others, for he knows not if he himself is pleasing to God.  Thus Jesus remains hidden for many and manifests Himself only to a few.  He showed His Divinity when He wished, and when He wished He hid Himself, acting always with a purpose and for a reason.

Come then to may aid in this great sorrow, O Mother of God and Mother of Mercy.  Help me, divine Mistress Mary, you who give access in heaven to Life.  I seek in you peace and happiness.  You know how sorrowful it is to lose Jesus, and also how sweet to find Him again.  If this trial was sent to you, Mary, to you who were sinless, what wonder if it is imposed upon me who so often have offended my God?  What must I do to find Jesus again?

Oh, if there is for me any hope of finding Him once more, it is in your help that I have placed my hope, O Mary.  It is in your aid and in your merits, you who are more cherished and nearer to Him than any one else. Teach me then to seek my Beloved until I have found Him.  O Mary, accompany me yourself.  Then shall I chant joyously with you:  "Congratulate me for I have found my Beloved, the Beloved of  my heart, He for whom my soul longs."