Mar. 1 - Day 10 - "emptying oneself of the 'spirit of the world'..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Let us return to the “Choice of True Wisdom” in Chapter 7 of St. Louis de Montfort’s book, The Love of Eternal Wisdom

On this First Friday of March, let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us “see” with eyes of Supernatural Faith, given us at Baptism, whatever needs “emptying”. Yesterday paragraph #80, was on “earthly wisdom”. Today we hear “the spirit of the world” manifested in “wisdom of the flesh” and “diabolical wisdom”-- all opposed to the “Spirit of Jesus”:

1. The wisdom of the flesh is the love of pleasure. This is the wisdom shown by the worldly-wise who seek only the satisfaction of the senses. They want to have a good time. They shun everything that might prove unpleasant or mortifying for the body, such as fasting, and other austerities. Usually they think only of eating, drinking, playing, laughing, enjoying life and having a good time. They must always be comfortable and insist on having entertaining pastimes, the best of food and good company. They regale themselves with all these pleasures without the least scruple, with no disapproval from the world and no inconvenience to their health. Then they can go looking for some broad-minded confessor (that is how they describe lax confessors who shirk their duty) to obtain from him on easy terms the peaceful sanction for their soft and effeminate way of living and a generous pardon for their sins. I say “on easy terms” because these worldly people usually want as a penance only a few prayers or a small offering to the poor. They detest anything that could possibly cause them any bodily discomfort.
2. Diabolical wisdom is the love and esteem of honours. This is the wisdom of the worldly-wise who, secretly, of course, long for distinctions, honours, dignities and high offices. They strive to be seen, esteemed, praised and applauded by men. In their studies, their work, their undertakings, their words and actions, all they want is the esteem and praise of men, to be reputed as devout or learned people, as great leaders, eminent lawyers, men of great and distinguished merit or deserving of high consideration. They cannot bear insult or blame and so they hide their shortcomings and parade their better qualities.
3. We must, like our Lord Jesus Christ, incarnate Wisdom, detest and condemn these three kinds of false wisdom if we are to possess the true one, which is not self-seeking, not found in the world nor in the heart of those who lead a comfortable life, and which loathes everything that men consider great and noble.

Come, Holy Spirit, enable us to “see” with Supernatural faith, what needs to be emptied from ourselves. Enable us to follow Jesus as Mary with meek and humble hearts and minds. This First Friday let us offer reparation for all our sins and the sins of the world.

Mary, Mother and Model of the Church, pray for us. St. Joseph, St. Louis de Montfort and all you Holy Saints and Angels Pray for us.