Another proof that the destiny of the Blessed Virgin is substantially the same with ours, is the fact that, in Scripture the same expressions are used to describe her glory and ours. Sometimes those who are not Catholics when they hear what high words we use of the Blessed Virgin, are scandalized; but we use almost no words of the Blessed Virgin that may not, in their measure, be applied to other Saints. It is true that the Blessed Virgin has some gifts and graces in which she stands alone--as her character of Mother of God, and her Immaculate Conception--but, as I said before, these are dignities and ornaments conferred on her, and are not the source of her essential happiness in Heaven. In other respects, her glory is shared by all the Saints. Thus, Mary is called "Queen of Heaven;" but are not all the blessed called in Holy Scripture, "_kings and priests unto God_?" [Footnote 94]
Is she said to sit at the "King's right hand?" and are not we too promised a place at his right hand, and to "_sit on thrones?_" [Footnote 95]
Is she called the "Morning Star?" and does not St. Paul, speaking of all the Saints, say, "_star differeth from star in glory_." [Footnote 96]
Is she called a "Mediatrix of Prayer?" and is it not said of every just man, that his "_continual prayer availeth much?_" [Footnote 97]
Is she called "The Spouse of God?" and does not the Almighty, addressing every faithful soul, say, "_My love, my dove, my undefiled?_" [Footnote 98]
Is she called the "Daughter of the Most High?" and are not we too called the "_Sons of God?_" [Footnote 99]
The glory of the Blessed Virgin, then, differs from that of the other Saints in degree, but not in kind. She is not separated from them, but is one of them. She goes before them. She is the most perfect of them. But she is one of them. And for this reason, the glory of the Blessed Virgin gives us the best conception of the magnificence of our destiny. When a botanist wishes to describe a flower, he selects the most perfect specimen. { 215} When an anatomist draws a model of the human frame, he makes it faultless. So we, to gain the truest idea of our destiny, must lift up our eyes to the Blessed Virgin on her heavenly throne, and say: Oh! my soul, see for what thou art created. Think of this my brethren, as often as you kneel before her image, or meditate on her greatness. You cannot be what she is, but you can be like her. She is a creature like you. She is a human being like you. She is a Christian like you. And her joy, her beauty, her glory, her wealth, her knowledge, her power--nay, even the mighty efficacy of her intercession--are only what, in their measure, God offers to you. "_Glory, honor and peace to_ EVERY ONE _that worketh good for there is no respect of persons with God_." [Footnote 100]