Aug. 17 - Day 11 - 2 days left

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today and tomorrow, God willing, complete 12 days “emptying ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus.” (Actually – the spiritual battle of a lifetime!)

St. Louis de Montfort writing "True Devotion" began with wisdom, guiding us with 33 days in preparation for Total Consecration (or renewing our Consecration). he wrote:

1. Those who desire to take up this special devotion…should spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, as I have recommended in the first part of this preparation for the reign of Jesus Christ. They should then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin. Here is a program they might follow:
2. During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins.

Let them perform all their actions in a spirit of humility. With this end in view they may, if they wish, meditate on what I have said concerning our corrupted nature, and consider themselves during six days of the week as nothing but snails, slugs, toads, swine, snakes and goats. Or else they may meditate on the following three considerations of St. Bernard: “Remember what you were - corrupted seed; what you are - a body destined for decay; what you will be -food for worms.”

Please notice that the first week repeats in some ways what we have been pondering for the first 12 days, except that the focus is on our own spirit which can oppose the Spirit of Jesus. It is necessary to see how the spirit of the world opposes Jesus but then to bring “home” so to speak – seeking a true knowledge of ourselves.

Today and tomorrow we will continue by God’s grace to empty ourselves of the spirit of the world as God has revealed it to us in Scripture, and then when we begin Week 1 we will be better prepared to examine our own consciences seeking a true knowledge of ourselves. How appropriately we will begin Week 1, Wednesday, on the memorial of St. John Eudes who had great devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Come Holy Spirit, enable us to Listen again to the Apostle John to hear Your Truth:

Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. (1 Jn 4:1-3)

Mary our Mother protect us from the snares of the evil one who goes about seeking whom he may devour. (cf 1 Peter 5:8) Jesus we trust in You.