Feb. 28 - Day 9

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In seeking to "empty ourselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus" especially during these first 12 days of St. Louis DeMontfort's 33 Day Preparation for total Consecration of ourselves, we've been listening to this saint's words in chapters 1 and 2 of his treatise on True Devotion. In Chap. 2, he lists 5 principles "which throw light on the remarkable and sound devotion" : 1) First principle: Christ must be the ultimate end of all devotions; 2) Second principle: We belong to Jesus and Mary as their slaves; and today we begin to ponder #3:

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

78. 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 odor. 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

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I encourage all who are reading this thread, prayerfully to read more on how to rid ourselves of what is evil, asking the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of the faithful, to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills. See HERE for Chapter 2 in “True Devotion”, and the third principle explained in paragraphs 78 through 84.

 

[tawny]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In seeking to "empty ourselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus" especially during these first 12 days of St. Louis DeMontfort's 33 Day Preparation for total Consecration of ourselves, we've been listening to this saint's words in chapters 1 and 2 of his treatise on True Devotion. In Chap. 2, he lists 5 principles "which throw light on the remarkable and sound devotion" : 1) First principle: Christ must be the ultimate end of all devotions; 2) Second principle: We belong to Jesus and Mary as their slaves; and today we begin to ponder #3:

.
I encourage all who are reading this thread, prayerfully to read more on how to rid ourselves of what is evil, asking the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of the faithful, to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills. See HERE for Chapter 2 in “True Devotion”, and the third principle explained in paragraphs 78 through 84.

Praying with all.

 

[MariaChristi]

Praying with all.

Thanks so much, tawny.

May the Lord enable us who began this journey of 33 Days, to continue reading and being blessed by the words of St. Louis De Montfort. I am finding that this Preparation has been a particularly grace-filled time for me. By God’s Grace, I am beginning to “see” things by faith that I had not recognized in myself, preparing for my re-consecration in previous years.

In the preliminary period which we began on Feb. 20, the “spirit of the world” which we are striving to empty ourselves of because it is opposed to Christ, has become more “real” to me – if that makes sense to anyone else – it isn’t easy to describe interior realities.

Thanks to all who are praying with us and for us, as we continue our journey.