Theme II

Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary – Part II

THEME: KNOWLEDGE OF SELF

Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.

We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit of piety. During this period, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christ-like perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves’?

17th Day

Imitation: Book 1, Chapter 24

Of judgment and punishment of sinners

In all things look to the end and how you will stand before the strict judge, from Whom there is nothing hid, Who takes no bribes, receives no excuses, but will judge which is just. O miserable sinner, O foolish sinner, what will you answer to God, Who knows all your evil deeds you who are sometimes afraid of an angry man? Why don’t you provide yourself against the day of judgment? When no man can be excused or defended by another, but each one will have to answer for himself?
St. Luke, Chapter 16:1-8

The crafty steward
He also said to his disciples, “There was a rich man and he had a steward who was denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship, because you are not to be my steward any longer. Then the steward said to himself, Now that my master is taking the stewardship away from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.

Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master? ” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty. ” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe? One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.

The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.

Now offer these prayers (for Days 13-19) found at the Rosary Army’s Total Consecration/Daily Prayers 

 

An audio version of today’s readings, reflections and prayer can be found at the Rosary Army’s Total Consecration/Audio

For those choosing the option of preparing for consecration using Fr. Michael Gaitley’s “33 Days to Morning Glory,” you can order his book HERE.