Feb.. 23 - Day 4 - "emptying oneself of the 'spirit of the world'..."

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In today’s Mass reading from the Gospel of Mark 9: 2-13 we hear the account of Jesus’ Transfiguration. How providential for us, seeking to empty ourselves of the ‘spirit of the world’ on this journey toward Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, that we hear:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them…
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Why have we begun this journey? As Peter, James and John, followed Jesus, so we are desiring to follow Him more closely and sometimes we too can be “terrified” by the awesomeness of God’s revelation of Himself, and hardly know what to say or do, yet God’s Word speaks to us His Truth:
…This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.
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The ‘spirit of the world’ does not really listen to Jesus, nor does it seek to follow His Truth, but the world is basically set on seeking self. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life for us, and yet today in the world we live in, it seems fewer and fewer listen to Him. Nevertheless, His Word remains True and has echoed down the ages:
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? - Lk 9: 23-25
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By God’s Grace, let us prayerfully keep all Jesus said and did, as Mary our Mother did, pondering all in her heart. Let us empty ourselves of the ‘spirit of the world’ which is opposed to Jesus. Without Him we can do nothing but with Him, nothing is impossible.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Jesus we trust in You! Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!
 
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We didn’t have those readings @MariaChristi .

We had the readings for the Memorial of St Polycarp .

But the Gospel Reading (John 15:18-21) fits in perfectly with what you are saying .

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”

So what can I say other than - - - - - - - -

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
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Dear Rob,

Thanks for your reply. What were your Mass readings for today?

The USCCB listed the Gospel Reading from Mark and titled them as the Readings for the Memorial of St. Polycarp – maybe your readings were those listed for Masses which are not specifically offered for his Memorial ? I’d be interested to know. Thanks. 🙂
 
Ah yes, as often happens the Liturgy allows several options. The USCCB site also gave the choice of Mass Readings for the Memorial as:

From the Common of Martyrs: For One Martyr or from the Common of Pastors: For a Bishop

All beautiful! I think the Holy Spirit led me to the one most fitting for our journey although all God’s Revelation is True and Good for all of us – any time! 🙂
 
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