Corrine, parags 144-150 Third Motive

Ruth it was good to see you blogging in the same general area that I am in the book.
Third Motive for this Consecration
When the time would come that I’d truly give my whole self to Mary…she gives her whole self back………in countless graces, fills me with her merits and her power and her light and her love and her virtues, humility, faith, purity….. Incredible gifts! What a way to go on the journey of salvation, IF I’d only give my whole self, my all! And how pleasing we would be with Jesus in this state with Mary’s intercession. And how Mary would purify our good works from stain of self-love that still creeps in; and how she would embellish our works with HER merits and virtues; she’d present them to Jesus who can’t refuse His mother so they’d be acceptable to Him. How perfect! [the apple on the golden platter would probably even have a worm hole in it] Mary would save the day. How unbelievably pleasing to Jesus Christ my Savior…… IF I’d only truly give my whole self over to Jesus through Mary. They are lovingly waiting for me to give in!

Ruth: Par 143

The previous paragraph lets of necessity of Mary's mediation and how unworthy we are go approach God's infinite Majesty by ourselves. I understand that and realize that even through Jesus came as that mediator to repair our relationship with the Father we follow His example and submit and utilize Mary.  Yet in par. 143 after talking about our need for humility St. Louie states, "On the contrary, when you are bold enough to approach God without a mediator, God flies from you and you cannot reach Him."  What about our Protestant friends who believe Jesus is the only mediator and they seem to have a very personal relationship with Jesus.   I know we have discussed this in the previous book but the wording is touch.  "God flies from you" I can understand if we have proud heart but I believe not all who avoid Mary fit in this category.  I totally believe we have the fullness of faith and the most direct and sustaining way to the Father through Jesus, Mary and the Catholic Church.  The wording is tough to handle but in humility I have to add that St. Louie is the saint and I am not.
To Jesus ... through Mary forever!!!!!

Ruth: Par 139 - 140

A line that I have to pause and reflect on is, well there are lots of them but for the moment it is, "Oh, how highly we glorify God when, after the example of Jesus, we submit ourselves to Mary!"   Really now, isn't that all that has to be said. If Jesus is our model what more needs to be said. What humility Jesus exemplified.  
par. 140: powerful Trinitarian summary of God's self-created dependence on Mary

Hail Mary, full of Grace pray for us sinner now and at the hour of our death.

Ruth: Par 136-138

I am in NY and find it very stressful caring for mom. The stress has made me need to read more "light" reading than this wonderful "Echo of God" book but I am reading and rereading bits here and there.

Today in reading Par: 135 -138 I just really felt the simple reminder to place all this in Mary's hands.  In par. 136 it states, "But this devotion makes us give to Jesus and Mary, without reserve, all our thoughts, words, actions and sufferings, every moment of our life ...whatever we do, even without thinking of it, is, by virtue of our offering ... done for Jesus and Mary. What a consolation this is!"   I just want to do just that but often need the reminder. I want to get to the point where it is done without thinking of it.
Mary I give all to you forever to bring to Jesus forever.   (Including this stressful day. Please, make good out of it.)

Ruth: Par 135 -

I am in NY caring for mom and it has again knocked me out of my routine.  This morning I was reading a post on Spiritual Direction and it talked about our Rule of Life or Program of Life and how we really should not be taking "vacations" from them as we would our other responsibilities.  Anyway, it convicted me and before I start doing the laundry, cleaning house and taking mom for a ride I opened my "Echo of God" book.
In par. 135 it reminded me that "no employment more lofty than the service of God" and I of course took this to mean in all its forms including caring for my mother, a work of mercy.
It went on to say that a commitment to be of service to God makes us servants of God ...devoted entirely and without reserve, to the utmost extent possible and that this total commitment is made possible when we humbly place all in the hands of Mary to be brought to Jesus.
Opps... company here. More later.

Corrine: Questions pg. 115 and comments…

Before reading this section I just did not make the connection…..that my sins are a violation of my baptismal promises. I knew Baptism was important…but somehow that was done many! years ago and then this is now. I did not “get” the connection with the now.

1. How do I live every day with Jesus as my Master and Lord? Has my baptism truly changed my life? (another examination of conscience question)
St. Louis says that each Christian (parag 126) “has in his Baptism…solemnly renounced Satan, his pomps, and his works; and he has taken Jesus Christ for his Master and Sovereign Lord to depend upon Him in the quality of a slave of love.” My baptism has not truly changed my life…yet. Workin on it!
(parag. 129) The Catechism of the Council of Trent says “that we should devote and consecrate ourselves forever to our Redeemer and Lord as His very slave.” Fr. Harlow says we owe everything to Jesus, by virtue of our baptism.

5. How does the practice of true devotion make more effective my prayers for my relatives…?
We pray with more confidence when we pass all things through Mary’s hands. Our trust and surrender to her through this lifestyle of true devotion obtains many more graces. Mary’s prayer to Jesus is way more powerful that our prayer. And…she knows His will.
How will my consecration to Mary aid me after death?
Consecration to Mary helps me because of the constant conversion from sin and the growth in virtue. My ‘giving away’ of merits does not hurt me.

After reading this section….I want to check out the Catholic Catechism…on Baptism.

Mary and Jesus....help us do all things by-with-in-for you.
Back in parag 109..."But when he falls, he rises again by stretching out his hand to his good Mother."

Kim: The Month of Mary

Kim asked that I share this link. Enjoy this special month devoted to Mary.
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Following is a link to the America Needs Fatima web site where there is a good article on the Month of Mary.

The Month of Mary

I thought you might like to share it with the Echo of God group.

Ruth: Par 120 - Application Question p. 110.

There were so many things to underline and reflect on as I was reading these paragraphs and the author's notes.
par 120: It was good to be reminded that the renewal of our Baptismal promises ratifies our consecration to Christ. ... Mary helps us reject Satan, by pointing out his snares and temptations, and leads us into a personal relationship with the Trinity in the Kingdom of God.  ... That is all so basic but such a good reminder.

par 121 - 126 talks about self-donation to Mary ..giving Mary the entire gift of ones self.   "This self-donation is so complete that we do not hope for any reward from her because of this offering except to belong completely to her Son, Jesus." We give out little and she give us her best, her Son.

The Application questions p. 110:  1.  In reflecting on question 1, I am finding that I am more frequently conscience of surrendering all to Mary.  Just as we renew our baptismal promises I find that I try to frequently renew my surrender all to Mary.  This question would be good to reflect on as part of my Examination in the evening.  Questions 3 and 4 will take lots more work. They are what I want to do but often don't remember to do.

Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Ruth: Par. 119 Constancy and Dying to self

As I have mentioned before, I am reading this second book on True Devotion because I have to have a focus in my spiritual life. Not read this author and that like I usually do. In par. 119 in the author's notes he states, "The key to constancy in this devotion will be the habitual exercise of doing all things by-with-in-for Mary in order to do them by-with-in-for Jesus, ..."  This constancy is what I am being called to so this really jumped out at me.
Later in this section the author writes, "These passive purifications are necessary in order for one to die to self and to grow spiritually."  That is a reminder I always need and am so thankful that I frequently hear from the pulpit.
Oh, Mary, help me to die to myself, my desired, my sinfulness, my self-centeredness and to live for-with-in the heart of Jesus.

Truth about Mary & Scripture - video

Beautiful: The Truth about Mary and Scripture .... video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA&feature=player_embedded#at=18

A Readers note to me ....

Here is a note from one of our Readers/Bloggers...... I share this to let you know that some in the group are reading and enjoying the book without blogging.     ...    Mary, our mother, is with us all leading us all closer to Jesus.
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Thanks for the Reading List.  And yes, I am still reading the book even though I'm not posting on the blog.  The book is really, really good.

 

I'm not posting to the blog because ... well, basically because it's not very convenient for me.  Our computer is not set up in a quiet place, and I seemed to get lots of interruptions/questions from the kids when I sit down to type. It's hard to gather my thoughts with the kids, and then I get distracted reading the comments others have posted, etc.  So, I'm sorry about failing at the blogging, but the material in the book is really great stuff.  Thank you for leading me to this book! And to the sanctuary of Mary's Immaculate Heart.