The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-17

WICKED deeds, she is invested with that peac
which surpasseth all understanding.
Writers differ as to the ex tent of Magdalene'
guilt; but the divine words, many sins are for
given her, show us q long continued course o
error. However, an eloquent French write
concludes that she was not of the lowest class
OF sinners, since the family were of import
ance and possessed of much wealth. This is
gathered from the fact that it was in Martha,s
house our Lord and many of His disciples
often found hosptable entertainment; and
also that, at the death of Lazarus, many Jews
of high starding came to Bethany and to the
house of the two sisters to condoe with them
in their bereavement.
However, we feel that her youth, her sur
passing beauty and her attractive wealth
might have been offered in excuse for many of
the vanlties and faults of her life; but We
know she offered such paltry plea while
PROSTATE at her Sayiours feet. With the eyes
that had beguiled to sin, she poured out the
tears that led to grace with the hair that had
crowned her in scenes of folly, she made one
| OF the humblest articles that can minister to
mans needs, the towel for his feet; but above
all, with the heart that had poured out all it's
treasures OF feeling upon the things of earth,
she now chung irrevocably and passiopately to
the things of Heaven SO that, according to
pious writer's, from that moment she became
pure in soul and body, and though not virgin,
she is still justly entitled the Queen of repent
| ant sinners, the Queen of holy souls. 1t has
been said that there are many Magdalenes in
this nineteenth century who initiate her in her
faults, but few Magdaleues who follow her in
| her sublime repentance. This, no doubt, is
because her life is so little known for once
understood, it becomes one of the master
| pieces of Gods love and mercy to man, one of
the most consoling pictures which Faith holds
up to Repentance.
The rext scene in which we behold Msgda.
lene, is in her sisters house, sitting humbly at
the feet of Jesus. Silence still enfolds her as
garment, for no word of hers is as yet re-
corded in the inspired pages. But we love to
think of her as, humble in her attire, shorn of
the jewels which once adorned her shining
hair, her face pale with fasting, her eyes heavy
with tears, silent, ever loving, ever sitting
lowly. What pathetic humility! There, at
her saviour's feet, do We always find this grand
and sublime SQUAT that altar of purity and
love, whence her own soul acquires increase of
purity and love.
At His feet, as though-according to an ex-
having gone astray SO long, she feels there can
be other guide for her than those sacred |
feet, which lead the way to life, and light, and
truth.
"Mary, sitting at the Lords feet, heard His
word But Martha was busy about much ser
wing, and said: Lord, hast Thou no care that
my sister hath left me alonef speak to her,
therefore, that she help me-" And the Lord
troubled about many things. But one thing is
necessary. Mary hath chosen the better part
which shall not be taken from her" duke Ky
This sublime instruction, which alone has suf-
feed to make innumerable saints, we owe to
the humble peDitent to Magdalene, whose
leart was broken with contrtion for her bitter
past. Who can dou bit that the sinner has
'een sanctifed, that the erring woman has
disappeared to give place to that envied soul
Tho, knowing the one thing necessary has
chosen the better part, and-O, crown of hap
'iness who is assured by the lips of Eternal
ruth that it shall not be taken from her
Thirdly, approach that hour when our
ord saw fit to manifest to all the assembled
multitude both the tenderness of His humani-
y and the glory of His divnity-the hour of
be most stupendous miracle, if indeed even
be greatest can be called more wonderful
ban tho least.
Lazarus was sick, and the Divine Master 1
way of his toilsome missions, was
eemingly unconscious of the danger that 1
lenaced the life of His friend. But the two .
sters, filled with unbounded confidence in
ne Savour's goodness, sent Him this simple
essage: "Lord, him whom Thou lowest is =
OK" This was all-no prayer for help, no :,
all for Him to come, only an humble and sub -
me trust. Yet Jesus came not, neither did .
e send; and at last Martha and Mary were -
Glled to weep over Lazarus-dead When y
lis beloved brother had been four days in the :,
NIB, and the sisters, with their sympathizing -
lends were mourning in their once hospitabie
1T now desolate mansion, Jesus turned His u
cps towards Bethany. 81
Tradition speaks of the tomb as being with :;
It The town, and describes it as a cavern in g,
g side Of the mountain, closed over by huge -
ok. "TAke away the stone !" said the Divine