July 26 — On St, Ann

Consider, first, that what gives us the highest idea of the supereminent sanctity of St. Ann, and of her blessed consort, St. Joachim, is that they were chosen by the decrees of Heaven, to be parents of that immaculate Virgin, who was to bring forth the Saviour of the world, and to be the Mother of G<. O what graces did they not receive, to qualify them to furnish this virgin Spouse to the Spirit of God, and this virgin Mother to the Son of God! What a saintlike, what a heavenly education, did they not give to their blessed child! How perfectly did they make good thereby that sentence of their divine grandson, that the tree is to he known by the fruits! What reverence, then, what esteem, what affection, what devotion, do we not owe to this blessed couple! All the true children of Christ have ever loved his Mother, and considered her as their Mother. How, then, can we do otherwise than love also these two great saints, to whom we stand indebted for such a mother?

Consider, secondly, from the Lesson or Epistle that is read on the feast of St. Ann, (out of Proverbs, x.Kxi,) the priertie of a valiant, that is, of a wise and virtuous woman, as perfectly agreeing to this great saint; particularly her perpetual attention to do good, cnid not evil, cdl the days of her life; her unwearied industry in acquirii the spirituid riies of all virt tues, and storing up a treasure for eternity; her diligence in the exercise of the works of mercy and charity, &c. Strength tmd beauty are her clothing, saith the wise man, speaking of her interior, and she shall laugh in the last day, (even in that day when the foolish admirers of worldly vanities shall all be ead and sorrowful.) She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law cf clemency is on her tongue, (by her being eYer {Budent in her words, and charitably compassionate in excusing the defects of her neighbours.) She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle, (by a serious application to keep herself always well employed, and to see that all under her charge are orderly.) Such was St. Ann, such ought all Christian matrons to be; of such as these the Spirit of God adds, in the conclusion of the chapter. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; the woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit (f her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Yes, the Lord himself shall give her the eternal reward of the fruit of her hands, and the gates of the heavenly Sion shall resound with her praises for ever.

Consider, thirdly, from the Gospel of thi§ day, that excellent treasure which St. Ann found, and made her own, by giving up all things else to purchase it for herself. “ The kingdom of heaven,” says our Lord, (Matt. xiii. 44,) “ is like unto a treasure hidden in a held, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that held. The kingdom of heaven, in this, and other passages of the Gospel, is understood of the Idngdnm of God within us, by his grace in the soul; that kingdom by which he lives and reigns in our interior, by faith, hope, and love, and the spirit of recollection and prayer. Now this kingdom of God in our souls is a treasure indeed, of infinite value, which enriches us by the possession of God himself, here by grace, and hereafter in glory. This treasure is hidden from the children of the world, who are strangers to the value of it, and have a very mean idea of the happiness of a spiritual and internal life-; but the children of God, whose eyes are opened to the truth, discover this inestimable treasure, and spare neither pains nor cost to get it into their own possession; they even' sell all they have to purchase it; that is, they give up their humours, their passions, their worldly affections, their sensual inclinations, their own will, and every thing else that opposes so great a happiness; and thus this kingdom of God becomes their own, and they themselves become G’s kingdom. Thus they begin to enjoy a heaven uvoii earth.

Conclude to seek first this kingdom of God in thy soul above all things, and all other things shall be added unto thee: thou shalt also be reimbursed, with infinite advantage, whatev thou hast expended in the purchase of it, and all good things shall tome to thee along with it,