Mar. 2 - Day 11 - Continuing the journey

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we approach the end of these 12 preliminary days of our journey, let us return to the First Letter of John and listen carefully again to God’s Word:

…Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever… (1 Jn 2:15-17)

God “tempts” no one. We are tempted by the spirit of the world. the spirit of the evil one, or our own evil desires. God hates evil and He so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son to save us from the original sin of Adam and Eve. God loved us so much He did not spare His Son, but for our sake Jesus endured temptation and suffering. Yesterday’s Gospel showed us how satan tempted Jesus, and how Jesus overcomes every evil.

Today opens now before us and by God’s Grace, we continue to keep our eyes on Jesus – for the end of our journey is ever greater union with Him. Jesus emptied Himself on the cross for us, let us ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to “empty ourselves of the spirit of the world which opposes the spirit of Jesus Christ.” Let us also look to our Mother who stood beneath the Cross of Jesus, giving herself with Him. St. Louis de Montfort in “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” wrote:

1. … Lastly, you never think of Mary without Mary thinking of God for you. You never praise or honour Mary without Mary joining you in praising and honouring God. Mary is entirely relative to God. Indeed I would say that she was relative only to God, because she exists uniquely in reference to him.

She is an echo of God, speaking and repeating only God. If you say “Mary” she says “God”. When St. Elizabeth praised Mary calling her blessed because she had believed, Mary, the faithful echo of God, responded with her canticle, “My soul glorifies the Lord.” What Mary did on that day, she does every day. When we praise her, when we love and honour her, when we present anything to her, then God is praised, honoured and loved and receives our gift through Mary and in Mary.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear patricius, KBS, and Stephie,

Thank you all for your “faithful hearts”, letting us know you are continuing to listen to God’s Word, as well as the Wisdom God has given to St. Louis de Montfort for the Church. Most importantly that you are continuing to ponder all in your hearts as Mary our Mother did on this earth.

 

[hazcompat]

Lumen Gentium
Chapter VIII

1. But since it has pleased God not to manifest solemnly the mystery of the salvation of the human race before He would pour forth the Spirit promised by Christ, we see the apostles before the day of Pentecost “persevering with one mind in prayer with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren”,(296) and Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation. Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin,(12*) on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory,(13*) and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords(297) and the conqueror of sin and death.(l4*)

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks again, dear hazcompat,

How important for us all to hear and remember those final words of your quote from “Lumen Gentium”, Chapter 8:

…Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death.

Mary is Mother and Model for the Church. How can we ever forget her, whom God has so loved and exalted and given to us, to love us as He has loved us?