Feb. 24 - Day 5

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
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We are almost half-way through the first 12 days in our 33 day preparation. This first period in which St. Louis encourages us to "empty ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus."

In chapter 2, St. Louis de Montfort writes that Christ must be the ultimate end of all devotions:
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61. Jesus, our Savior, true God and true man must be the ultimate end of all our other devotions; otherwise they would be false and misleading. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end of everything. "We labor," says St. Paul, "only to make all men perfect in Jesus Christ."
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For in him alone dwells the entire fullness of the divinity and the complete fullness of grace, virtue and perfection. In him alone we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing; he is the only teacher from whom we must learn; the only Lord on whom we should depend; the only Head to whom we should be united and the only model that we should imitate. He is the only Physician that can heal us; the only Shepherd that can feed us; the only Way that can lead us; the only Truth that we can believe; the only Life that can animate us. He alone is everything to us and he alone can satisfy all our desires.
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We are given no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. God has laid no other foundation for our salvation, perfection and glory than Jesus. Every edifice which is not built on that firm rock, is founded upon shifting sands and will certainly fall sooner or later. Every one of the faithful who is not united to him is like a branch broken from the stem of the vine. It falls and withers and is fit only to be burnt. If we live in Jesus and Jesus lives in us, we need not fear damnation. Neither angels in heaven nor men on earth, nor devils in hell, no creature whatever can harm us, for no creature can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Through him, with him and in him, we can do all things and render all honor and glory to the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit; we can make ourselves perfect and be for our neighbor a fragrance of eternal life.
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In continuing to ponder how by God's Grace we are to empty ourselves of the spirit of this world which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, we need to keep our focus on Jesus as Mary did. In order to discern what is opposed to Him we need to learn from the Holy Spirit the Truth Who is Jesus.
Philippians 2:1- 13 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phi 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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Maria Christi,

thank you for these wonderful updates. The chosen texts are inspirational and I look forward to the new post every day.

I think that I have already made some progress in understanding that the way I deal with difficulties of life is very much in the spirit of the world. On day one of this preparation I had something unpleasant happen and I felt my pride was hurt, I was frustrated that my attempts of addressing the situation fail, I was full of spirit of division. Yes, I pray for this but it struck me today reading the above texts that I do not rely on God enough and still cling to the illusion that I can do things by myself. I realise I need to be more humble.
 
Maria Christie.

Is there certain prayers that I should be saying each day? I have been saying my usual prayers that I do everyday,but I was just wondering.

Thank You:)
 
Dear Contra Mundum, and acacia,

I do not know who wrote the outline for the suggested prayers, but as I mentioned in the beginning of these threads, I’m trying to follow St. Louis de Montfort’s directions as he gave them in his treatise. The outline may have been written by one of the De Montort Fathers or someone who wanted to help others, but I find that St. Louis gave the best advice. So for the 12 Days, I have continued to listen to his words in Chapters 1 and 2. If you find other suggestions helpful, by all means you are free to use them.

When we finish this first period of 12 days, St. Louis does begin to suggest specific prayers for Weeks 1, 2 and 3, but for now he urges us to “empty ouselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus” and he suggests our reading the first part of his treatise, (chapters 1 and 2).

I have found myself also remembering certain parts of scripture that have been helpful in seeing how the spirit of the world and the spirit of Jesus are opposed. Last Sunday’s readings, for example, were a help to me as well as this morning’s Mass readings.

Each soul is unique and God may use different ways to teach each one of us, but it is the same Holy Spirit Who brings us into the Truth Who is Jesus. Thank you both for your questions/comments on the thread. I am about to begin our thread for today. Let us continue please to pray for one another and all who are making this journey with us. 🙂
 
MariaChristi said:
Dear Contra Mundum, and acacia,

I do not know who wrote the outline for the suggested prayers, but as I mentioned in the beginning of these threads, I’m trying to follow St. Louis de Montfort’s directions as he gave them in his treatise. The outline may have been written by one of the De Montort Fathers or someone who wanted to help others, but I find that St. Louis gave the best advice. So for the 12 Days, I have continued to listen to his words in Chapters 1 and 2. If you find other suggestions helpful, by all means you are free to use them.

When we finish this first period of 12 days, St. Louis does begin to suggest specific prayers for Weeks 1, 2 and 3, but for now he urges us to “empty ouselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus” and he suggests our reading the first part of his treatise, (chapters 1 and 2).

I have found myself also remembering certain parts of scripture that have been helpful in seeing how the spirit of the world and the spirit of Jesus are opposed. Last Sunday’s readings, for example, were a help to me as well as this morning’s Mass readings.

Each soul is unique and God may use different ways to teach each one of us, but it is the same Holy Spirit Who brings us into the Truth Who is Jesus. Thank you both for your questions/comments on the thread. I am about to begin our thread for today. Let us continue please to pray for one another and all who are making this journey with us. 🙂
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Phewwwww! Thank you for your reply. I was getting anxious, thinking I was doing it wrong. Missing something out. I have been doing what you suggested. I will just continue to follow your lead. I have decided to just commit to doing it this way, instead of confusing myself and trying all different ways. My brain works better when I keep it simple as possible. Thank you once again. 👍
 
acacia12 said:
Phewwwww! Thank you for your reply. I was getting anxious, thinking I was doing it wrong. Missing something out. I have been doing what you suggested. I will just continue to follow your lead. I have decided to just commit to doing it this way, instead of confusing myself and trying all different ways. My brain works better when I keep it simple as possible. Thank you once again. 👍
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Dear acacia,

It is good to be as simple as we can, it seems to me. In years past many persons including myself, felt there were too many prayers, readings, and spiritual exercises suggested in outlines that were intended to help. Hopefully this time, in staying simply with St. Louis’ words in “True Devotion” we can ponder more slowly and prayerfully. At least doing that has been more helpful for me. 🙂
 
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