Mar. 7 - First Saturday and Day 4 of Wk 1 - "seeking true self-knowledge"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our Journey toward “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary” continues on this First Saturday of March. How beautifully today’s Gospel conveys the Love in the Perced Hearts of Jesus and Mary:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Our goal in making this journey is ultimately towards union with God in the perfection of Charity. God is Love and we hear Jesus on His cross say:

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

If we are to be true children of Mary and of our Heavenly Father we must learn to love and forgive as Jesus forgives.

Because of His love for all, Jesus emptied Himself on the Cross, and Mary joined her Heart to His, being pierced spiritually as His Heart was pierced physically. Let us continue our journey praying for all the graces we need, especially " that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge":

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

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear KBS,

Thanks for your “faithful heart”. I so appreciate your letting us know you continue to read these threads! May the Lord continue to work in every heart that accepts His invitation to love Him more through Mary!

Yesterday, in reading True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, I read this strong sentence by St. Louis de Montfort:

1. As though I had said nothing so far to further her honour, grant me now the grace to praise her more worthily, in spite of all her enemies who are also Yours. I can then say to them boldly with the saints, "Let no one presume to expect mercy from God, who offends His holy Mother."

On this First Saturday on which we seek to offer Mary reparation for sins committed against her and thus against Him let us pray for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

 

[hazcompat]

Lumen Gentium
Chapter VIII
64. The Church indeed contemplating her hidden sanctity, imitating her charity and faithfully fulfilling the Father’s will, by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By preaching and baptism she brings forth sons, who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God, to a new and immortal life. She herself is a virgin, who keeps in its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse. Imitating the mother of her Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, she keeps intact faith, firm hope and sincere charity.[20]

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks hazcompat, for another excellent quote from “Lumen Gentium” the Vatican Document on the Church and thus the document which includes much on the role of Mary who is Mother and Model for the Church.

How truly Mary shows us the beauty and steadfastness of her Supernatural Faith, Hope and Charity, standing beneath the Cross of her Son! Her example is for all of us, Clergy and Laity alike. Each of us “preaches by our own example” and shares the Life of Christ given to us at Baptism with all we meet.

The Church of today is called but how many are listening to Jesus’ words:

Behold your Mother

How many among clergy and laity are as obedient as John who heard and did the Truth he heard from Jesus on the Cross? How many like John have taken Mary into their lives? How many follow her example of listening to all Jesus said and did and ponder His Words and actions in their hearts as she did on this earth?

Let us continue to ask and receive the graces we need in “seeking true self-knowledge” to “see” with eyes of Faith our Mother standing at the foot of the Cross and receive her as Jesus’ gift.

May God forgive us our faults and failings and in His forgiveness give us the grace we need to love her more that we may love Him more through her!