"...to be led by this spirit of Mary"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

By God’s Grace, striving to “Live” my total Consecration, I’m continuing this section of St. Louis De Montfort’s treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Father gave Jesus to us through Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We return to the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Mary, in Jesus – our Way, our Truth and our Life!

1. The person who wishes to be led by this spirit of Mary:

1. Should renounce his own spirit, his own views and his own will before doing anything, for example, before making meditation, celebrating or attending Mass, before Communion. For the darkness of our own spirit and the evil tendencies of our own will and actions, good as they may seem to us, would hinder the holy spirit of Mary were we to follow them.

1. We should give ourselves up to the spirit of Mary to be moved and directed as she wishes. We should place and leave ourselves in her virginal hands, like a tool in the hands of a craftsman or a lute in the hands of a good musician. We should cast ourselves into her like a stone thrown into the sea. This is done easily and quickly by a mere thought, a slight movement of the will or just a few words as, “I renounce myself and give myself to you, my dear Mother.” And even if we do not experience any emotional fervour in this spiritual encounter it is none the less real. It is just as if a person with equal sincerity were to say - which God forbid! - “I give myself to the devil.” Even though this were said without feeling any emotion, he would no less really belong to the devil.

1. From time to time during an action and after it, we should renew this same act of offering and of union. The more we do so, the quicker we shall grow in holiness and the sooner we shall reach union with Christ, which necessarily follows upon union with Mary, since the spirit of Mary is the spirit of Jesus.

Please let us continue to pray for one another and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy. The world is in great need of God, yet seems to be more concerned about “self” than God Who created and redeemed us. In fact, it seems that many have made “self” their God and turned from the Truth of His Love to seek only more of themselves. St. Augustine in writing about this temptation in his own time said there are two cities being built in the world: the city of God and the city of man. The City of God is being built by those who love God even to the contempt of self. The city of man is being built by those who love self to the contempt of God. In each of our actions today, let us ask Mary’s intercession that we might do all as she did, in her spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (Mt. 5:3)

 

[liturgy96]

Amen! Thank you for this reflection; this especially resonated with me:
Please let us continue to pray for one another and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

My friend and I talked about so much today; one thing we touched on was our tendency to be unmerciful in our standards regarding the liturgy. We pledged to support each other in growing in mercy in this aspect of our spirituality, as we realized the mercy God has shown us and His call for us to live with greater humility.

Holy Mother of God, Virgin most prudent and admirable, pray for us!

 

[MariaChristi]

Amen! Thank you for this reflection; this especially resonated with me:
Please let us continue to pray for one another and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

My friend and I talked about so much today; one thing we touched on was our tendency to be unmerciful in our standards regarding the liturgy. We pledged to support each other in growing in mercy in this aspect of our spirituality, as we realized the mercy God has shown us and His call for us to live with greater humility.

Holy Mother of God, Virgin most prudent and admirable, pray for us!

Dear liturgy96,

Thanks for your reply. It is always good to have a friend with whom we can share God’s Truth. To recognize in oneself any tendency unworthy of a child of God is surely the Holy Spirit at work in both your souls. Jesus told His disciples to: “Be Merciful as your Heavenly Father is Merciful.” (Luke 6:36). Yes, humility is the foundation of all spiritual growth.

The worship we offer God is important, and it is good to humbly seek for His Grace to worship Him as God wants to be worshipped in “Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23 -24). I’m not sure in what ways you both consider yourselves being “unmerciful” in what you call “standards regarding the liturgy”.

Mercy is another word for Charity or Loving Kindness. We can be merciful, charitable (that is, loving another, being kind to another, because of our love for God) and still point out in a merciful and loving way something in the liturgy that might be better than is presently being done. I was very grateful recently for a visiting priest in our parish asking people to “slow down” in praying the Rosary before Mass. He said it in a loving way, and he gave perfect example in his leading the Rosary in a very prayerful way.

When that particular priest offers Mass, he is never in a rush. What a blessing that is! It is difficult sometimes to speak in a loving way to some people who are set in their ways and not open to change for the better. We may need to pray for them and for ourselves first and over a period of time, before we approach some topics with certain people.

Mary is the Mother and Model of the Church. Let us continue to seek by God’s Grace to live her spirit, which is united with the spirit of God. She is the Mother of Mercy, the Mother of our Life, our sweetness and our hope.