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 Christlike perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves’?

19th Day

St. Luke: Chapter 18:15-30

Jesus and the children

People even brought little children to him, for him to touch them; but when the disciples saw this they turned them away. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.

The rich aristocrat
A member of one of the leading families put this question to him, Good Master, what have I to do to inherit eternal life?  Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not commit adultery; You must not kill; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; Honor your father and mother. He replied, have kept all these from my earliest days till now. And when Jesus heard this he said, There is still one thing you lack. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. But when he heard this he was filled with sadness, for he was very rich.

The danger of riches
Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to make their way into the kingdom of God! Yes, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. In that case, said the listeners, “Who can be saved? Things that are impossible for men, he replied, “are possible for God.

The reward of renunciation
Then Peter said, What about us? We left all we had to follow you. He said to them, “I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.

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.