Dec. 9 - Day 12 of our Advent Journey

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today ends the first part of our preparation in which we are seeking “to empty ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to Jesus.” Hopefully we have been pondering in our hearts words St. Louis De Montfort shared in “True Devotion”, and will be ready to begin Week 1 Day 1, tomorrow.

In paragraph 227 after encouraging us to spend at least 12 days in emptying ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to Christ, St. Louis de Montfort wrote:

They should then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin.

The purpose of these first 12 days is to help us to “see” by God’s Grace that the spirit of the world is NOT the Spirit of Christ, and we need to empty ourselves of that opposing spirit and learn from Jesus through Mary how to live truly in the Spirit of Christ.

Today is the memorial of St. Juan Diego, a humble convert to the Faith, to whom Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared. If you have read about Mary’s apparition to him, you realize how Humble and Childlike he was. How important Humility is – for God resists the proud but raises the lowly.

Let us remember this scene from Matthew’s Gospel:

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in My name receives Me. – Mt 18:1-5

And also these words of Jesus:

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? – Mark 8:36

Come Holy Spirit, enlighten our minds and hearts that we may become humble as little children and empty ourselves of the spirit of the world which opposes Christ. We cannot accomplish it all in 12 days, but we can begin by your grace and persevere with your help. We know that without God we can do nothing!

 

[hazcompat]

Imitation of Christ : Book 1, Chapter 25 (continued)​

But if thou observest any thing worthy of reproof, beware thou do not the same. And if at any time thou hast done it, labor quickly to amend thyself. As thine eye observeth others, so art thou by others noted again.

How sweet and pleasant a thing it is, to see brethren fervent and devout, obedient and well-disciplined! How sad and grievous a thing it is, to see them walk disorderly, not applying themselves to that for which they are called! How hurtful a thing it is, when they neglect the purpose of their calling and busy themselves in things not committed to their care!

Be mindful of the purpose thou hast embraced, and set always before thee the image of the Crucified. Good cause thou hast to be ashamed in looking upon the life of Jesus Christ, seeing thou hast not as yet endeavored to conform thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God. A religious person that exercizeth himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord, shall there abundantly find whatsoever is profitable and necessary for him, neither shall he need to seek any better thing, besides Jesus. O if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly and fully should we be. A man fervent and diligent is prepared for all things.

It is harder toil to resist vices and passions, than to sweat in bodily labors. He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater. Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening, if thou spend the day profitably. Be watchful over thyself, stir up thyself, warn thyself, and whatsoever becometh of others, neglect not thyself. The more violent thou uses against thyself, the more shalt thou progress. Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for another excerpt from the “Imitation of Christ”.

Yes, how very careful we need to be in reacting to faults we see in others, especially when we begin to react towrds them and find ourselves guilty of the same fault of impatience or anger or something else “worthy” of reproof!

I find myself asking God for His grace in situations when I can feel anger, impatience or even just fatigue beginning to cause a lack of Love for God and for those He has placed in my path at that moment. Looking to Jesus on His Cross is the best way to begin offering Him the reparation we owe to Him for all that we have done to wound His Heart.

The final two sentences in the excerpt are very close to St. Louis de Montfort’s recommendations for tomorrow and this first week of Preparation for Total Consecration. St Louis wrote in “True Devotion”:

1. 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.