Mystical City of God

Elizabeth‘s Greeting and John Leaps - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch17

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the salutation given to St. Elizabeth by the Blessed Virgin Mary and the simultaneous sanctification of John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us on the value of grace and our need to guard it as a priceless treasure, "There are no terms of human language equal to the task of expressing what participations and perfections of God are contained in sanctifying grace. It is little to say that it is more pure and spotless than the snow; more refulgent than the sun; more precious than gold or precious stones, more charming, more amiable and pleasing than all the most delightful feasts and entertainments, and more beautiful than all that in its entirety can be imagined or desired by the creatures. Take notice also of the ugliness of sin, in order that by the opposite you may come to so much the better understanding of the beauty of grace; for neither darkness, nor rottenness, nor the most horrible, the most dreadful, nor the foulest of creatures can ever be compared to sin and to its ugliness. The martyrs and saints understood much of this mystery (Hebrews 11:36), who in order to secure the beauty of grace and preserve themselves from the ruin of sin, did not fear fire, nor wild beasts, nor the sword, nor torments, nor prisons, ignominies, pains, afflictions, nor death itself, nor prolonged and perpetual suffering; for to escape all these must be counted for little or nothing, and must scarcely be thought of in comparison with one degree of grace, which souls may attain, even though they be the most abject of the whole world. All this the men, who esteem and seek after the fugitive and apparent beauty of creatures, are ignorant of; and whatever does not present to them this deceitful beauty, is for them vile and contemptible."

Mary‘s arrangments at Zachariah‘s house - The Conception - Bk3 - Ch 18

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Virgin Mary arranged her daily exercises when she stayed at Zachariah and Elizabeth's house. Also, how she and St. Elizabeth exchanged in service and humility. Regarding humility, the Blessed Virgin Mary tells us, "...the favors of the Most High and the knowledge of his divine mysteries, in the attentive souls, engender a kind of love and esteem of humility, which raises them up with a strong and sweet force, like that which causes fire to ascend, like the gravity which causes a stone to fall, each of them striving to reach its own and natural sphere. This is done by the true light, which places the creature in the possession of a clear knowledge of itself and attributes the graces to the proper source, whence all perfect things come (James 1:17); and thus it brings all things into correct balance. And this is the most proper order of right reason which overthrows and as it were exerts violence against the false presumption of mortals. On account of this presumption of pride the heart, wherein it lives, cannot strive after contempt, nor bear it, nor can it suffer a superior over itself, and is offended even at equals; it violently opposes all in order to place itself alone above all fellow creatures. But the humble heart is abased in proportion to the benefits it received, and in its interior quietly grows a desire or an ardent hunger for self-abasement and for the last place; it is violently disturbed in not finding itself esteemed as the inferior of all and in being deprived of humiliation."

Conversations between Mary and Elizabeth - Bk3 - Ch19

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes some of the conversations the Blessed Virgin Mary had both with the angels of her guard and with her cousin Elizabeth. The Blessed Virgin Mary continually stresses the importance and benefits of humility, also right-sized relationships with others, and prudent use of time. She said, "According to this doctrine you must so regulate your terrestrial occupations, whatever they may be, that you do not lose your time, which can never be recovered. Whether you eat, labor, rest, sleep or watch, in all times and places, and in all occupations, adore, reverence, and look upon your great and powerful Lord, who fills all things and conserves all things (1 Corinthians 10 3 and Matthew 11 29). I wish also that you pay special attention to that which moved and incited me most to perform all acts of humility; namely, the thought that my divine Son came in the guise of humility in order to teach the world this virtue in word and example, to inculcate the hate of vanity and pride and rooting out its seed sown by Lucifer among mortals in the first sin. His Majesty gave me such a deep knowledge of how much He is pleased with this virtue, that in order to be allowed to perform only one of the acts mentioned by you, such as sweeping the floor or kissing the feet of the poor, I would have been ready to suffer the greatest torments of the world. You will never find words to express the love for humility which I had, nor to describe its excellence and nobility. In the Lord, you will know and understand what you cannot describe in words."

Mary‘s impact of those around her - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch20

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes some of the special favors which the Blessed Virgin Mary conferred upon several people in the house of Zachariah. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to always be ready to do good for the souls around us. She said, "My dearest daughter, within two limits as if within two extremes, all the harmony of your powers and wishes must move. They are: to preserve yourself in the grace and friendship of God and to seek the same good fortune for others. In this let all your life and activity be consumed. For such high purpose, I wish that you spare no labor, beseeching the Lord and offering yourself in sacrifice unto death, accepting actually all that is opportune and possible. Although, in order to solicit the good of souls, you need not make any great fuss before creatures, since that is not appropriate to your sex; yet you must seek and prudently apply all the hidden means, that are most efficacious within your knowledge. If you will be my daughter and a spouse of my most holy Son, consider that the possessions of our house are the rational creatures, which He acquired as a rich prize at the cost of his life (1st Corinthians 6 20) and of his blood; for, through their own disobedience, they were lost to Him (Genesis 3:6), after He had created and selected them for Himself."

Elizabeth asks Mary to stay - The Incarnation - Bk 3 - Ch21

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how St. Elizabeth asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to remain with her, and they discussed Elizabeth's pending childbirth. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us on prayer. How praying in the correct manner, is never offensive to God. She says, "My daughter, whenever our desires arise from loving affection and are accompanied by a good intention, the Most High is not offended at our making them known, as long as it is done with submission and resignation to the dispositions of his divine Providence. When the soul presents itself before the Lord with such sentiments, He looks upon it as a Father and grants to it what is proper, withholds what is improper or does not conduce to its true welfare."
"I wish that you offer up all your petitions and prayers in the name of my most holy Son and my own; and be assured without doubt, that they will be heard if they are joined with the upright intention of pleasing God. Look upon me with loving affection as your Mother, your refuge and your help; trust yourself to my devoted love, and remember, my dearest, that my desire for your greater good urges me to teach you the means of obtaining great blessings and favors of divine grace at the most liberal hands of God."

The Birth of John the Baptist - The Incarnation - Bk 3 - Ch22

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the birth of St. John the Baptist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary's activities during the event. The Blessed Virgin Mary continues to warn us about the avoidance of sin, and about the dangers of being misled saying, "...do not be surprised, that my servant John feared and hesitated to come into the world. Life can never be loved by the ignorant devotee of the world in the same degree, as the wise, in divine science, abhor and fear its dangers. This science was eminently possessed by the Precursor of my most holy Son; hence knowing of the loss which threatened, he feared the risk. But, since he that knows and dreads the treacherous seas of this world, sails so much the more securely over their unfathomed depths, it served him in good stead for entering securely into the world. The fortunate child began his career with such disgust and abhorrence of all earthly things, that his horror never abated."

"It is also certain that ordinarily, the demons have no power over souls unless they gain entrance by some venial or mortal fault. Mortal sin gives them a sort of direct right over those who commit it; while venial sin weakens the strength of the soul and invites their attacks. Imperfections diminish the merit and the progress of virtue and encourage the enemy. Whenever the astute serpent notices that the soul bears with its own levity and forgets about its danger, it blinds it and seeks to instill its deadly poison. The enemy then entices the soul like a little heedless bird, until it falls into one of the many snares from which there seems to be no escape."

The naming of John the Baptist - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch23

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the council and instruction the Virgin Mary gave to St. Elizabeth as her exit draws near. The child John is circumcised and given his name and Zachariah prophesies. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us in our need to be dead to the world saying, "Your Spouse, my dearest daughter, does not wish your ears to be enthralled by deceitful earthly talk, nor contaminated by the flatteries of the world. Therefore I desire that you keep them closed and well guarded against all these poisonous influences. If your Lord is pleased to speak to your heart the words of eternal life, it is proper that you yourself be deaf and lifeless to all that is earthly. All else should be to you a deadly torment in comparison with the caresses of his love. Remember that you owe Him the perfection of your love and that all hell will combine against you, in order to ensnare you by your natural tenderness to be sweet and loving toward creatures, and less grateful to the eternal God. Watch over yourself, and see that you resist this unfaithfulness, trusting in your beloved Master and Spouse."

Mary prepares to leave Elizabeth - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch24

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the day the Blessed Virgin Mary prepared to leave the house of Zachariah and Elizabeth. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to obtain and remain in a state of readiness to God's will. She says, "My daughter, the happy souls which God has chosen for his intimate friendship and perfection must keep themselves in continual readiness and peace, in order to perform all that his Majesty may ordain without hesitation or delay. That is what I did when the Most High commanded me to leave the beloved retreat of my house and betake myself to Elisabeth; likewise, when he ordered me to return. I obeyed in all these things with joyful alacrity; and although I had received so many benefits from Elisabeth and her family and so many tokens of love and friendship, as thou hast seen, yet, knowing the will of the Lord, I set aside all obligation and my own inclination and followed them only so far as was strictly demanded by charity and compassion, and in so far as the promptest obedience to the divine command permitted."

"My dearest daughter, how will you not hasten to obtain this true and perfect resignation as soon as you know its vast value! How pleasing it is in the eyes of the Lord, and how profitable for your soul! Labor then to attain it in imitation of me, as I have already so often invited you and urged you. The greatest hindrances toward its attainment are the leanings and special likings to earthly things; for these make the soul unworthy of the caresses of the Lord and of knowing fully his will. And even if the soul knows his will, the base love of unworthy things will keep the soul from fulfilling it; for on account of its inclinations, it will be wanting in the ready and joyful obedience required by the Lord. Take notice of this danger, my daughter, and do not allow any particular affection to enter into your heart, for I wish that you be well versed and perfect in this art of divine love and that your obedience be that of an angel, and your love that of a seraphim."

The Journey back to Nazareth - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch25

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the journey back to Nazareth, and especially how the Virgin Mary dealt with people having difficulties, or perhaps difficult people. The Blessed Virgin Mary says, "My daughter, the faithful souls, and children of the Church, who know God, must make no distinction of time, place or occasions in the practice of faith and the other virtues connected with it. For God is present in all things and fills them with his infinite being (Jeremiah 23:24), and in all places and circumstances faith will enable them to see and adore Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:22). Just as preservation follows upon creation, and as breathing follows upon life, and just as there is no intermission in the breathing, nourishment, and growth of man until the end is reached: so the rational creature, after having been regenerated by the faith of grace, must never interrupt the course of the spiritual life, continually pursuing works of life by faith, hope and charity in all places and at all time (James 2:26). On account of their forgetfulness and carelessness, the children of men, and especially the members of the Church, possess the life of faith as if they had lost it, allowing it to die for want of charity."

Mary‘s enemies take notice - The Incarnation - Bk3 - Ch26

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the demons, led by Satan, held a meeting in Hell to develop a strategy against the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our beloved Queen reminds us that the powers of Hell pursue us continuously, "My daughter, I wish that you be very cautious and watchful in regard to the ignorance and darkness, by which the demon commonly ensnares mortals and makes them forget their eternal salvation and the continual danger of its loss through his persecutions. Men are lost in forgetful rest and sleep as if there were no vigilant and powerful enemies. This dreadful carelessness arises from two causes: on the one hand, men are so taken up with their earthly and sensible being (1Corinthians 2:14), that they do not feel any other evils except those concerning the animal nature in them; all that is interior is harmless in their estimation. On the other hand, since the princes of darkness are invisible and unperceived by any of the senses (Ephesians 6:12) and since carnal men, neither touch, nor feel, nor see them, they forget the fear of them. Yet for this very reason, they ought to be more attentive and careful, since invisible enemies are more cunning and adroit in injuring us by their treachery. So much the more certain is the danger, the more concealed it is, and so much the more deadly are the wounds, the less they are felt and recognized."

"In order that you may fear it and preserve yourself the better, remember that this dragon knows you and lurks about you ever since the hour of your creation and entrance into this world. Night and day he restlessly prowls about seeking some chance of capturing you as a prize. He observes your natural inclinations and also the gifts of the Lord, in order to combat you with your own weapons. He charges other demons with your ruin and promises a reward to those that are more diligent in securing it. They weigh your actions carefully, watch your footsteps, and work zealously to lay snares for you in all your undertakings."