Nov. 11 - Day 3 - "emptying oneself of the spirit of the world..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

By God’s Grace we continue today seeking to “empty ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the to the Spirit of Jesus” as St. Louis De Montfort describes the first 12 days in preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, in his treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

Certainly, we cannot empty ourselves of the world which is God’s beautiful Creation, and we are “in the wold” by His design. What we need to remember is that we cannot love that “spirit of the world” which satan continually tempts us to do – even as he tempted our first parents. By God’s Grace, we can be “in the world” but not “OF the world”. This is especially important for us who have been baptized into Christ.

If you pondered the scripture from yesterday’s Gospel, you heard how Jesus warned the Pharisees who were lovers of money. Today’s Gospel likewise gives us a similar warning to seek to be poor in spirit – to give ALL as the widow gave all she had, both in the First Reading and in the Gospel. The Alleluia verse before today’s Gospel also encourages us to remember the first of the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Mt 5: 3 )

The First Letter of Paul to Timothy warns the early Church also about “love” of money:

If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

Please notice, “money” in itself is not the issue but it is the “LOVE of money” the wanting to be rich to such an extent that we find the love of money is greater than the love we have for God! If we perceive that we have no room for God because all our time and energy is consumed in seeking for more and more money to buy more and more things that we may not even need, then maybe that is a “love” which needs to be emptied out of our heart, for it is opposed to Jesus’ Spirit.

Jesus was born in a stable. His Mother and dear Joseph were content with what God provided. Jesus is our Way, our Truth and our Life. May the Holy Spirit guide us to seek the Father’s Will as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph did.

 

[Wm777]

Hello Maria Christi,

I would like to hop onboard this prayer with you. I’m already consecrated (several times over) by St Louis DeMontfort’s devotion; but, I’m also saying it again this year, although a bit further ahead (on day 7 now), since I wanted day 33 to be Dec 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2018). Of the several times I have observed the 33 days, I’ve always had to do it alone - perhaps because it is such a long prayer? I would very much like to share in fellowship with kindred spirits!

Ad Jesu Per Mariam!
Totus Tuus!

Wm

 

[Start]

My Consecration is also going to end on the Immaculate Conception.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear William,

Welcome aboard! I’ve lost count ot the number of times I’ve re-consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary, but I count it as one of the greatest graces of my life. I can never thank God enough for sending me to a Catholic high school where I joined the Legion of Mary and the Spiritual Director of our Praesidium, “Mary, Praise of the Trinity” introduced us to St. Louis de Montfort and the Act of Total Consecration. We were only sophomores; but that Dominican Sister made Mary “come alive” for me and I began a wonderful journey of Grace – learning to love Jesus more through Mary.

The books which I had previously used had many suggested prayers, but it was difficult for me and I know many others became discouraged by not being able to keep up with them. I prefer to stay close to what St. Louis de Monfort requires in his description of the 33 Days. For instance he gives no special prayers for the first 12 days, and only suggests we might read from True Devotion. During the Three weeks after, however, he does ask us to pray certain prayers and makes some other suggestions. It is good to notice that we have options.

One of the reasons I appreciate St. Louis de Montfort is his love for Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium. I have made it a daily habit to read the Mass readings from the USCCB website every morning, to be sure that I am daily listening to God’s Word. Often the scriptures help me to understand more of what St. Louis has written. I agree with you that taking this journey of 33 days together is a special blessing. God created us to love one another and He gives us His perfect example – being born into a human Family – growing up under the authority of his Mother and St. Joseph, and calling all of us to holiness!

Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy - always through the intercession of Mary!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Start,

Thanks for sharing your love for Jesus and Mary by telling us that you too will be making your Act of Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. My First Consecration was not made on a particular Feast of Mary due to the school schedule I guess, but I have always liked renewing it on the Feast of the Annunciation. Occasionally, I’ve been led to renew it on other feasts beside my original Consecration date which was on June 10. I am happy that it was in the Month of the Sacred Heart. This is the first time I’m renewing it on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but I am really happy to be doing that because I have grown especially fond of that apparition, and its significance to the Pro-Life movement.

May the Holy Spirit guide us all on this Journey to a deeper tuer love for God through His Mother than we have ever experienced before this time. God needs saints!

 

[Wm777]

Thanks, MariaChristi! Looking forward to sharing our reflections on this journey.

I haven’t really been reading in the usual manner this time around, but have been using some videos I found on YouTube:


I’ve been having some difficulties becoming engaged when reading prayers I know over and over again. It seems to become a bit mechanical and monotonous, like just mouthing the words, and it even becomes hard to stay awake. It must be a type of aridity. YouTube probably isn’t the most pious environment, but listening to the audio at least helps one stay awake.

As for CAF - is there some way we can keep track of the prayers here - so I know how to find you each day?

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear William,

One way might be to check my Profile page tomorrow and click on Topic – if Day 4 is posted it will take you to the post. I try to post in the morning. God willing, I hope to keep posting each day. During the 12 preliminary days, St. Lous does not suggest specific prayers. He simply tells us to “spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, as I have recommended in the first part of this preparation for the reign of Jesus Christ”. So St. Louis suggests our reading his Treatise on True Devotion can help us. In my edition of the treatise, the words “preparation for the reign of Jesus Christ” are used by the editors as a subtitle for “True Devotion”. Feel free to quote from the treatise in your relies, as we go along because I believe the more we read this little treatise the more we learn. It is the same with Sacred Scripture – if we read prayerfully and ask the Holy Spirit to help us, we open our hearts to receive more.

When we get to Week One, I’ll post a link to the prayers De Montfort asks us to pray. Sometimes the prayers themselves can lead to questions, discussion or comments. Same with Week Two and Week 3. Often I also like to see if there is any correspondence with the Mass Liturgy or the Liturgy of the Hours. My husband and I pray morning prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours together each morning.

Repetition of words makes it difficult sometimes to pray – but some good advice from St. Theresa of Avila is to have both attention and devotion in prayer; focusing on the One to Whom we are speaking, remember who is speaking, and what we are saying. She told her sisters if we do not have attention and devotion, we may be moving our lips, but we’re not praying! Prayer is important and we need to ask for the grace to pray well. The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier, sent to bring us into ALL Truth, so it is good to ask Him at the beginning of any prayer time to help us. For “we do not know how to pray as we ought” (cf Romans 8:26).

Distrations and/or periods of aridity are trials that God may permit. but He also gives grace to persevere, if we ask humbly and do our best. Prayer is our relationship with Him and it is as important as breathing – we simply cannot do without it. Prayer is sometimes without words too. Mary our Mother pondered in her heart, everything Jesus said and did.