Do we "presume" on Mary's help?

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday I was re-reading St. Teresa of Avila’s book, The Interior Castle. Her words struck me:

…But one thing I advise you: not because you have such a Mother or Patroness should you feel secure, for David was very holy and you already know who Solomon was. Don’t pay any attention to the enclosure and the penance in which you live, or feel safe in the fact that you are always conversing with God and practicing such continual prayer and being so withdrawn from the world of things and in your own opinion holding them in abhorrence. These practices are all good but not a sufficient reason, as I have said for us to stop fearing. So continue to say this verse and often bear it in mind: “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord”. (from the ‘Third Dwelling Place’, chapter 1)

There is a real difference between hope and presumption. In fact we can sin against hope when we “presume” on God’s Mercy or Mary’s loving intercession towards us. When our hope is sincere it is accompanied by humility as its foundation. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.(Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10). To put the above quote from St. Teresa into context, the saint is encouraging her sisters (and us) to persevere in times of dryness, and to consider themselves “useless servants” of so great and generous a God Who died for them. She encourages all of us to reflect on things she is pointing out, for as she says: “The Lord will give you understanding of them so that out of dryness you may draw humility-- and not disquiet, which is what the devil aims after…”

I am convinced we need God’s Grace at every step of our journey towards Him. Our love for Him and for our Blessed Mother is not in mere words nor empty promises to do better, but in sincere acknowledgment that we are sinners and unprofitable servants, who owe everything to God’s Grace and His Gift of Mary to us. May He enable us to keep our eyes on Him as Mary did, and hope in, rather than presume on, Him or Her.

Thank you Lord for the Gift of Your Love: Jesus through Mary, by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Thank you also for giving us the wisdom of the saints, such as St. Teresa.
All you holy saints and angels, please pray for us, that we may be humble servants as you are.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Honestly, I’ve always kind of felt funny about praying the Memorare.

It feels a bit creepy because it’s just like “ok I asked now where is my help” but I justify it to myself by saying that “I am aided” does not require “things going my way.”

 

[MariaChristi]

Honestly, I’ve always kind of felt funny about praying the Memorare.

It feels a bit creepy because it’s just like “ok I asked now where is my help” but I justify it to myself by saying that “I am aided” does not require “things going my way.”

Dear Mystical Seeker,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, we need to distinguish “aid” from simply receiving anything we pray for through Mary’s intercession.

God alone answers our prayers, and He delights in granting good things to His children through Mary our Mother and/or thorough other humble intercessors. Nevertheless He grants always those things which are in accord with His Will which is truly good for us.

We can pray the Memorare with genuine hope in God’s Mercy and Mary’s Intercession:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

We will not be left unaided. If our request is not for our good, God will grant grace for us to endure our suffering since God knows our suffering can enable us to grow in faith, hope and above all charity, or give graces to those for whom we pray. They may either receive the good we ask, or something better, for them as well. We are never left unaided when we fly to Mary’s protection, implore her help or seek her intercession. We may not understand the answers we receive but that is where hope and confidence in the Goodness of God and our Mother show us the difference between "presuming: on Mary’s Help and truly hoping in the good God grants us through Mary. He works ALL things unto good…(cf Rom 8:28)

A presumptuous person is often more like a “spoiled child” when he becomes angry in not receiving exactly what he wants. That person presumes he knows as much as God what is the best answer to his prayer. May we learn to be humble in all our prayers, recognizing how Good and Wise our Father is, and our Mother Mary. May we learn to trust in Their Love.