One of the most overlooked passages in Scripture is short! Mary said to Elizabeth, The Mother of John the Baptist, in Luke 1:39-56:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of The Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.”
Mary and The Bible teach how soul and spirit are different.
She puts the “soul” first. It “proclaims the greatness of The Lord”.
Then, the “spirit” is able to “rejoice in God my Savior“.
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Hebrews 4:12 gives us the same lesson: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Both passages agree: the “soul” comes first.
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We know the difference between “joints” and “marrow”. There is also a difference between “the thoughts” and the “attitudes” of the heart”.
We see that “thoughts” came first. Our “thoughts” formalize our “attitudes”.
What is “the heart”?
“the heart” is the totality of our soul, spirit, thoughts, and attitude.
When make our “thoughts and attitudes” lead us to grateful obedience to God, we will be pleasing to Him.
He will let us know. Then, we may “rejoice”!
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Mary’s Soul “thoughts” and “attitudes” led Her Spirit to say: “I will be the handmaid of The Lord.”
Therefore, She who perfectly obeyed shows us how to be among “You are My friends if you obey My commands.”
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Her Mind and Body did as Her Soul and Spirit directed.
We should strive for similar obedience. Jesus makes clear what logic lets us understand. We may only be admitted into Heaven only if we are among:
“You are My friends if you obey My commands.”
If we are blessed to let Logic lead our thoughts to an “attitude” of obedience, we will not disobey Christ’s Only Church-Founding Decree:
“And I say unto you thou art Peter and on this rock I build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I give you the keys to The Kingdom of Heaven.”
Catholics are blessed. We obey.
Our hearts “rejoice”.
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