“Hail to you forever, O virgin mother of God, our unceasing joy…You are the pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom; the fate of every victim, the living altar of the bread of life. Hail, O treasure of God. Hail, O fount of the Son’s love for man.”

                                                                    St. Methodius of Olympus

For Reflection

Why do you think Mary is our “unceasing joy?” Why do you think she is the “pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom?” How is Mary “the living altar of the bread of life” and, therefore, “the fate of every victim?” Why do you think she is the “treasure of God” and the fount of the Son’s love for man?” In considering all of this, is my appreciation and love of the Virgin Mary deepened? To what extent?