Day 9 - August 21

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are approaching the end of our preliminary period of 12 days, seeking to rid ourselves of the spirit of the world. As we look around, and hear news of terrible violence occurring in the Middle East, the persecution of Christians, and horrors all over the world, we can “see” the spirit of the world: the evil one at work! Words from Pope Emeritus (Benedict XVI) in his book, Jesus of Nazareth, Vol 2 come to mind:

… Across the centuries it is the drowsiness of the disciples that opens up possibilities for the power of the Evil One. Such drowsiness deadens the soul, so that it remains undisturbed by the power of the Evil One at work in the world and by all the injustice and suffering ravaging the earth. In its state of numbness, the soul prefers not to see all this; it is easily persuaded that things cannot be so bad, so as to continue in the self-satisfaction of its own comfortable existence. Yet this deadening of souls, this lack of vigilance regarding both God’s closeness and the looming forces of darkness, is what gives the Evil One power in the world. On beholding the drowsy disciples, so disinclined to rouse themselves, the Lord says: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death”… (Underlining is mine for emphasis)

It is important for us to recognize the enemy! It is so very important to realize that we fight not against flesh and blood but against “principalities and powers”. All God’s holy ones – even Jesus Himself – contended with satan’s temptations. God speaking through St. Paul, helps us:

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must. (Eph 6: 12- 20)

We are fighting not only for our own lives in Christ, but for all those whom Jesus died to save. The Church, like Mary, does not exist for herself, but she exists to evangelize – to carry on the mission of Christ! Let us be seriously awake! We cannot slumber on, as if God does not exist. He is working and we must work with Him, by the power of His Holy Spirit. As Jesus gave all, and Mary gave all – so must we, by God’s Grace! When I read Paul’s description of himself as an “ambassador in chains” I could not help thinking of St. Louis de Montfort’s devotion to Mary as a “slavery” of love and the wearing of a chain to remind oneself that we have become like Mary in her following of Jesus. St. Paul wrote:

…Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2: 5-8)

Please let us continue to pray for one another, and all those in most need of His Mercy, through Mary, by the power of His Holy Spirit, now and always.