Ember Friday: Homily by S. Ambrose, Bishop: Bk. 2 on S. Luke, v. 39 & 40

THOSE who exact faith are generally expected to incite faith. Accordingly, when the Angel announced secret counsels, he announced the conception of an aged and barren woman, to incite the faith of the Virgin Mary. For with God nothing shall be impossible, he asserts, of all things that he is pleased to do. Mary set out for the hill country when she heard this, not because she doubted his words, nor because she mistrusted the messenger, nor because the example he had given her lacked proof; but she went rejoicing in her consecration, inspired by her sacred office, hastening for very joy. Whither does she go, she who is now bearing God? She hastens with all speed to higher realms, for the grace of the Holy Spirit knows no delay.

LET all devout women mark this, and realize that they too should spare no effort to help their kinsfolk when they are with child. Mary had been accustomed to dwell alone in her chamber, but her virgin modesty did not prevent her from mingling with the crowds, nor did bleak mountains quell her zeal, nor the long journey deter her from doing her duty. The Virgin went into the hill country with haste, a virgin mindful of her duty and heedless of trouble, knowing that she was needed and regardless of her frailty, and so she left her home and set out. Let all young women study her example, and not waste time paying idle visits on the way, nor wandering about in the streets, nor stopping to gossip with those they meet. It was Mary's way to stay within walls and to accomplish her journeying with all speed; and she remained with her cousin three months.

MARY'S example of modesty has been shown: let young women also study her humility. She came as one relative to another, as the younger to the elder, nor did she merely come; she was the first to utter her greeting. It should always be the case, that the more chaste a virgin is, the more is she humble. She will know how to submit to her elders. Let whoever makes profession of chastity be expert in, be the mistress of, humility; for this is the root of piety, and the first principle of its teaching. How wondrous indeed is this incident, when the superior comes to the inferior, to bring aid to the inferior: Mary comes to Elisabeth, Christ to John.