(4) May 27
Mary is the "Turris Davidica," the Tower of David
A TOWER in its simplest idea is a fabric for defence against
enemies. David, King of Israel, built for this purpose a notable tower; and as
he is a figure or type of our Lord, so is his tower a figure denoting our
Lord's Virgin Mother.
She is called the Tower of David because she had so signally
fulfilled the office of defending her Divine Son from the assaults of His foes.
It is customary with those who are not Catholics to fancy that the honours we
pay to her interfere with the supreme worship which we pay to Him; that in
Catholic teaching she eclipses Him. But this is the very reverse of the truth.
For if Mary's glory is so very great, how cannot His be
greater still who is the Lord and God of Mary? He is infinitely above His
Mother; and all that grace which filled her is but the overflowings and
superfluities of His incomprehensible Sanctity. And history teaches us the same
lesson. Look at the Protestant countries which threw off all devotion to her
three centuries ago, under the notion that to put her from their thoughts would
be exalting the praises of her Son. Has that consequence really followed from
their profane conduct towards her? Just the reverse—the countries, Germany,
Switzerland, England, which so acted, have in great measure ceased to worship
Him, and have given up their belief in His Divinity while the Catholic Church,
wherever she is to be found, adores Christ as true God and true Man, as firmly
as ever she did; and strange indeed would it be, if it ever happened otherwise.
Thus Mary is the "Tower of David."
