Day 4 - "emptying oneself of the spirit of the world"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It seems to me that so many in today’s culture do not recognize God, and so do not recognize the diference between His Spirit and the “spirit of the world”. Even among Catholic Christians, who hear Pope Francis speak of “worldliness” I wonder if they understand what he means.

St. Louis de Montfort in his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” 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,…

Only by God’s Grace, can we begin to discover what we need to empty ourselves of – how many of us truly know how “worldly” we actually are? Again the First Letter of John can help us to discern:

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. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. (1 Jn 4: 1-6)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.
Jesus, we trust in You!
Mary, Mother and Model of the Church pray for us.