Looking at the chart (page 21 of the slimline, 114 of the book), choose which of Mary’s duties to you, that you think will be most helpful in fortifying you on your path to holiness? Which of your duties to Mary, will challenge or help you in maintaining your focus on the glory of Mary’s son?
Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s daily prayer life included making a daily examination of conscience that focused on the blessings even in the disappointments and mistakes in order to develop both a spiritual sensitivity and an attitude of gratitude. What benefits do you see coming from a daily examin such as this? List for yourself a few events, relationships, or situations in your life where you may not have been sensitive to or grateful for God’s presence.
Jesus chooses to come through Mary into history and to all humanity; he chooses to come to you through Mary. When we ask for Mary to lend us her Heart, we’re asking to share in her own inner life. Were we to see and feel with Mary’s own depth of love of God, we would not forget it. What gifts from such an exchange would you desire? Compassion for others as she experiences it? Love of the Divine Savior as wholehearted as hers? Depth of prayer and mercy as she lives it? Something else? Can you say why?
Mary said, “Fear not” to Mother Teresa. Reflect on what you are afraid of. Would this simple two-word sentence be comforting to you, coming from Mary? Why or why not? What could she say to you to allay your fears?
Mother Theresa warns us to be careful of things that block contact with Jesus. Make a list of interior things (worries, life’s past hurts, past mistakes, or even forgiven sins) and the exterior things (errands, appointments, daily responsibilities – phone conversations!) that interfere with daily one-to-one contact with the One who loves and longs for you eternally.
Day Fifteen: Mother Teresa experienced “terrible darkness” and loneliness after saying “yes” to Jesus. She eventually discerned it to be a sharing in the Jesus’ suffering and thirst on the Cross. Participating in the suffering of Jesus’ Passion and Death is a common theme among many saints’ writings. What about this is attractive to you? What about it is difficult or even frightening to you?
Day Fourteen: Kolbe expresses Marian consecration not as a gift of self for the sake of achieving “the greater glory of God” (as does de Montfort) but rather as becoming an instrument in the hands of Mary for the purpose of “extending the Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.” Which concept (of Marian Consecration) speaks most personally to you? Do you have another mental image of Mary that carries the meaning of Marian consecration or “Morning Glory” for you personally?
There are many kinds of instruments: musical instruments, kitchen utensils, implements of war, garden tools. They are only as good as the person who knows how to use them. When you give yourself to Mary, she will use you as her instrument; How might you become an instrument of Mary’s love for her children?
St. Maximillian says, all happiness is contained in the will of God in our lives. Mary Immaculate chose freely and perfectly to let God’s will be done in her. As a result, she is often invoked as the “Mediatrix of Grace.” How have you experienced divine guidance regarding God’s will for your life? How might you imitate Mary’s attitude of “fiat mihi” (“let it be done unto me”)?
The union of Mary, the created Immaculate Conception, and the Holy Spirit, the uncreated Immaculate Conception, results in Mary’s doing God’s will always and perfectly! God’s will for us is to be perfect (“as your heavenly Father is perfect,” Mt 5:48), and he wants Mary to lead us to perfection in his will. How could Marian consecration change how you perceive – and do – the will of God?
|