Feb. 21 - Day 2 of our journey

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday, I mentioned the first part of St. Louis de Montfort’s treatise on True Devotion as good (although not “required”) during these first 12 days of striving to “empty ourselves of the spirit of the world”. I read paragraph #78 in chapter 2 , some days ago and it may be helpful for us to ponder this paragraph, on Day 2 of our journey toward Total Consecration. St. Louis wrote on “Basic principles of devotion to Mary”:

Third principle: We must rid ourselves of what is evil in us

1. Our best actions are usually tainted and spoiled by the evil that is rooted in us. When pure, clear water is poured into a foul-smelling jug, or wine into an unwashed cask that previously contained another wine, the clear water and the good wine are tainted and readily acquire an unpleasant odour. In the same way when God pours into our soul, infected by original and actual sin, the heavenly waters of his grace or the delicious wines of his love, his gifts are usually spoiled and tainted by the evil sediment left in us by sin. Our actions, even those of the highest virtue, show the effects of it. It is therefore of the utmost importance that, in seeking the perfection that can be attained only by union with Jesus, we rid ourselves of all that is evil in us. Otherwise our infinitely pure Lord, who has an infinite hatred for the slightest stain in our soul, will refuse to unite us to himself and will drive us from his presence.

St. Louis is consistent with Holy Scripture in writing these words. St. John the Beloved Disciple in his First letter to the Church wrote:

…Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. ( 1 Jn 2: 15 - 16)

Please let us pray for one another as we continue to pray to the Holy Spirit. By God’s Grace, may we learn All Truth, the Holy Spirit was sent to bring the Church (cf Jn 16:13). Please also feel free to ask questions or to add your prayerful comments on the journey.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful; kindle in us, the Fire of Your Love.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Jesus, we trust in You!