: Although the Hypostatic Union, by its very
nature, gives Him the right to the first place in heaven, it gives
him neither the glory nor the rewards which are due to Him as the
Redeemer of mankind. The Hypostatic Union is a high privilege, a free
gift of God, which He did not merit; for that privilege, in the
designs of his Father, involved the office of Redeemer. This was His
vocation in this world, and he corresponded to it faithfully. He
taught the world, first by example, next by His heavenly doctrines.
Then He submitted willingly, and even cheerfully, to all the
indignities of his bitter passion, and finally consummated the great
work of man's redemption by expiring upon the cross.

It is for all this life of poverty, suffering, and humiliation, that
He is rewarded, and so wonderfully glorified, and not exclusively on
account of the Hypostatic Union. Listen to St. Paul, and he will tell
you why Jesus is exalted above all in heaven: "He humbled Himself,
becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. For which
cause God hath also exalted Him, and hath given Him a name which is
above all names, that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of
those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth."* Surely
this is far from saying that Jesus enjoys the highest glory of
heaven, exclusively on account of the Hypostatic Union. It is given
Him by his Father as a "crown of justice," which he really deserved
by his sufferings and obedience unto the death of the Cross.

* Phil. ii. 8.

It is, moreover, the beautiful canticle which forever resounds
through the vaults of heaven. Listen to it: "Thou art worthy, O Lord,
to take the book, and open the seals thereof: because Thou wast
slain, and hast redeemed us in Thy blood, out of every tribe, and
tongue, and people, and nation."* It is evident, then, that Jesus is
rewarded in His human nature with the highest glory of heaven, on
account of his own individual merits.

* Apoc. v. 9.

Let us now spend a few moments in contemplating the glory of the
Blessed Virgin. Jesus is the King of heaven; Mary is the Queen. She
certainly comes next to Jesus in dignity and merit, and her glory is,
therefore, next to His in splendor and magnificence. She is the woman
of whom the beloved disciple speaks when he says: "And a great wonder
appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."* This certainly
ex