Day 8 - Feb. 28

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Again, our suggested reading for Day 8, from [The Imitation of Christ](http://totalconsecration.ageofmary.com/preparation-08.html) and our [Mass Readings](http://www.catholicemporium.com/daily-catholic-mass-readings/?p=3267) are so helpful on our journey.

The Imitation of Christ speaks about temptations, and how Job experienced "Man's life on earth is a temptation". None is so holy not to undergo temptations, but temptations can actually profit us. The reading concludes with these words:

…Inconstancy of mind and little confidence in God, is the beginning of all temptations. For as a ship without a helm is driven to and fro by the waves, so the man who neglects and gives up his resolutions is tempted in many ways.

How encouraging are the Mass Readings from Isaiah, Psalm 34 and the Gospel from Matthew 6, giving Jesus' teaching on Prayer and the words of the perfect prayer, the "Our Father" ! How important it is for us to look to Our Father and come to know Him through Jesus and Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that if we make Love our aim (cf 1 Cor 14:1) God will enable us by His Grace to persevere in the face of temptation. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, we hear Him say, "Father into Your hands I commend my spirit" and we continue striving to rid ourselves of the spirit of the world that we may have the spirit of Jesus which is also Mary's spirit.

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit and to Mary in the Veni Creator Spiritus and the Ave Maris Stella, not only for ourselves but for all our brothers and sisters on the journey with us, here at CCF and all over the world.