Mar. 6 - Journeying on - Wk 1, Day 3 - "seeking true self-knowledge"

  • Thread starter Thread starter MariaChristi
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MariaChristi

Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week, as mentioned before, may be most difficult, but I am convinced of its importance, listening to this morning’s Mass Readings, especially the Gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven…
Click to expand...
These are only the opening words, Jesus goes on in Mt. 7: 20 - 26 to help us “seeking self-knowlege” for we have been called out of darkness and Jesus is the Light. Jesus tells us in the very beginning of this same Gospel in Chapters 5-7 in which he gives His Sermon on the Mount:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. (Mt. 5:17)
Click to expand...
Most of the the scribes and Pharisees did not really listen to Jesus, they closed their hearts and minds and preferred their own thoughts and desires. Jesus came that they might have Life in Him, but they sought the praise of men and were lovers of money.

St. Louis de Montfort listened to the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments. If we read his book on “Love of Divine Wisdom” as well as “True Devotion” we can hear him repeating God’s Word often.

In guiding us through this first week he encourages us to pray for true self-knowledge that we might truly die to the selfishness that keeps us from givng our whole heart to God.
  1. During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins. Let them perform all their actions in a spirit of humility… They will ask our Lord and the Holy Spirit to enlighten them saying, “Lord, that I may see,” or “Lord, let me know myself,” or the “Come, Holy Spirit”. Every day they should say the Litany of the Holy Spirit, with the prayer that follows, as indicated in the first part of this work. They will turn to our Blessed Lady and beg her to obtain for them that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge . For this intention they will say each day the Ave Maris Stella and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
Litany of the Holy Spirit see HERE

Ave Maris Stella see HERE

Litany of the Blessed Virgin see HERE
 
Last edited:
Thanks, MariaChristi,

Recently I was tempted for a number of days to obsess about past sins. Knowing one’s sinfulness is good, but not to let it hinder one’s trust in Christ’s All-Powerful Mercy, given through Mary. I remembered the Scripture you quoted to me before about resisting the devil who prowls about looking for someone to devour, which was what was happening. The Scripture said to stand firm in the faith, resist him, and trust that God will soon restore establish and strengthen me. And that’s what happened.
 
Ah YES! When we remain in the Truth of God’s Word, we learn His Truth and we are set free from the devil’s snares!

Thanks so much for your “faithful heart” patricius, and for this reply which encourages me and I believe it will encourage all who read it!

The Supernatural Faith we received at Baptism is powerful. Mary is the Mother of our Faith and she helps us to believe in God’s Love for us, even as she believed at the foot of His Cross. Faith leads us to (hope) trust in Him who loves us and to (Charity) loving Him as He has loved us and loving others because of our love for Him.

We fight spiritual battles knowing that when we are weak then we are strong for Mary and Jesus are with us. God’s Grace is sufficient. Totus Tuus!
 
Last edited:
  1. By reason of the gift and role of divine maternity, by which she is united with her Son, the Redeemer, and with His singular graces and functions, the Blessed Virgin is also intimately united with the Church. As St. Ambrose taught, the Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ.(18*) For in the mystery of the Church, which is itself rightly called mother and virgin, the Blessed Virgin stands out in eminent and singular fashion as exemplar both of virgin and mother. (19*) By her belief and obedience, not knowing man but overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, as the new Eve she brought forth on earth the very Son of the Father, showing an undefiled faith, not in the word of the ancient serpent, but in that of God’s messenger. The Son whom she brought forth is He whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren,(299) namely the faithful, in whose birth and education she cooperates with a maternal love.
Today is my 38th wedding anniversary!

Thanks be to God

Jesus Christ Is Our Father’s Simple Plan For Salvation Since Before Time Began!
 
Happy Anniversary, Hazcompat!

(I don’t post much publicly on these threads but I try to read and reflect on them each day… I appreciate your additions!)
 
Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your relpy, giving us once again a quote from “Lumen Gentium” to help us appreciate the gift of Mary from Jesus on His Cross.

Quoting the document:
…As St. Ambrose taught, the Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ.(18*) For in the mystery of the Church, which is itself rightly called mother and virgin, the Blessed Virgin stands out in eminent and singular fashion as exemplar both of virgin and mother…
Click to expand...
On this third day of “seeking true self-knowledge” we need to ponder Mary at the foot of the Cross receiving us in faithful obedience as her children and “beholding us” as she beheld John, knowing she would mother him and all whom God gave her to love, as Jesus her Son loved and died for all. Mary is the Refuge of sinners, and we can go to her with confidence that she will care for us as faithfully and tenderly as she cared for Jesus and continually cares for His Body, the Church. I hope many will read your post and ponder in their hearts as Mary did on this earth.

Also – I join KBS in hoping you and your wife have a very Happy Wedding Anniversary today! May you be blessed and continue to be a blessing to all!
 
Last edited:
Dear Stephie and KBS,

Thank you both for your “faithful hearts”. It is an encouraement to see that some persons on CAF are following these threads on the 33 Day Journey toward “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary”. Even if one only reads and ponders this “invitation” to listen to God’s Servant, St. Louis de Montfort as he wrote his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” , I believe God’s Grace is working in that person who accepts the invitation. 🙂

God never “forces” anyone to love Him or His Mother – for Love must always be given freely. Please let us continue to pray for one another and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy, through Mary.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top