Feb. 24 - Day 4 - of 12 preliminary days of our journey

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Once again, we find the Mass Readings for today coincide with the beginning of our journey to “empty ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the Spirit of Jesus”. In the first Reading from the Letter of James, we hear:

…Who among you is wise and understanding?
Let him show his works by a good life
in the humility that comes from wisdom.
if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast and be false to the truth.
Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above
but it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity… (James 3: 13- 18)

St Louis de Montfort in “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” - paragraph 79 says:

1. To rid ourselves of selfishness, we must first become thoroughly aware, by the light of the Holy Spirit, of our tainted nature. Of ourselves we are unable to do anything conducive to our salvation. Our human weakness is evident in everything we do and we are habitually unreliable. We do not deserve any grace from God. Our tendency to sin is always present…

Our human nature as it came from God is beautiful and we see in Jesus and Mary that beautiful Human Nature as God intended us to be - without sin. However the Original Sin committed by Adam and Eve and inherited by us has left us with its consequences. Even though we are cleansed from the stain of Original Sin, by our Baptism, we must continually do battle against temptations from the world, the devil and our own evil inclinations.

In today’s Gospel Jesus confronts a demon and casts him out of a posssed person. When His disciples ask why they could not cast the demon out, Jesus tells them: This kind is cast out only by prayer and fasting. We are approaching Lent, when the Church encourages us to enter the season of penance and reparation, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. By God’s Grace, let us ponder God’s Truth, and do the Truth we hear. Let us also remember the beginning verses of James ’ Letter by which God encourages us in Chapter 1 verses 2-4:

…Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it…

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear KBS and Christian-ty,

Thanks so much for your “hearts”, which let me know you are continuing the journey with me and some others, who may not let us know or may not even be on the internet, but are truly devoted to Jesus through Mary and are making their own journey by themselves or with other groups.

It is always a blessing to hear someone speak lovingly or show some heartfelt and sincere devotion to our Mother for we know it pleases God, and Jesus helps Mary’s children obey her words at Cana to the servants, concerning Jesus:

Do whatever He tells you

 

[hazcompat]

Crossing the Threshold of Hope
Pope Saint John Paul II

Totus Tuus. This phrase is not only an expression of piety, or simply an expression of devotion. It is more. During the Second World War, while I was employed as a factory worker, I came to be attracted to Marian devotion. At first, it had seemed to me that I should distance myself a bit from the Marian devotion of my childhood, in order to focus more on Christ. Thanks to Saint Louis of Montfort, I came to understand that true devotion to the Mother of God is actually Christocentric, indeed, it is very profoundly rooted in the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity, and the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption.
And so, I rediscovered Marian piety, this time with a deeper understanding. This mature form of devotion to the Mother of God has stayed with me over the years, bearing fruit in the encyclicals Redemptoris Mater and Mulieris Dignitatem.
In regard to Marian devotion, each of us must understand that such devotion not only addresses a need of the heart, a sentimental inclination, but that it also corresponds to the objective truth about the Mother of God. Mary is the new Eve, placed by God in close relation to Christ, the new Adam,
beginning with the Annunciation, through the night of His birth in Bethlehem, through the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee, through the Cross at Calvary, and up to the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Mother of Christ the Redeemer is the Mother of the Church.
The Second Vatican Council made great strides forward with regard to both Marian doctrine and devotion. It is impossible to include here in its entirety the marvelous eighth chapter of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, but it should be done. When I participated in the Council, I found reflected in this chapter all my earlier youthful experiences, as well as those special bonds which continue to unite me to the Mother of God in ever new ways.

Peace

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks so much for posting this excerpt from Pope St. John Paul II’s book, “Crossing the Threshold of Hope”. I read that book many years ago and was blessed – as I am today – remembering how JPII first encountered St. Louis de Montfort’s treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”. I hope many others read your post today, and realize how saints like St John Paul II grew in his understanding of what True Devotion to Mary means – it is truly “Christocentric”. Thanks again!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear patricius,

Thanks for your “heart” and your faithfulness to Jesus through Mary. By God’s Grace may we remain in Him as Our Mother Mary did and pray often:

“O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of holiness, in the fullness of your power, in the perfection of your ways, in the truth of your virtues, in the communion of your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.”

Have you read any of the Articles which hazcompat gave on yesterday’s thread? See HERE

Today I read the first article: “The Mother of God and Holy Humanity” and pondered the beauty of it. I intend to go back and read more when I can. The author reminds me of St. Louis de Montfort, in some ways.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks for your “heart” letting me know of your continuing love for Jesus through Mary, and your desire to know, love, and serve God more. I wonder if you had a chance to read any of the articles hazcompat gave from HERE. I’ve read the first two and found them to be excellent. I want to read more. If and when you have time I encourage you to read at least the first one on “The Mother of God and Holy Humanity”.