Consecration Week 3 - Day 1

By: Laura Worhacz

Week 3 theme: "MARY! TEACH US THE LAW OF LOVE!"


READING

-FIFTEENTH DAY-
Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 88-93

(Or pages 94-100 on the online book. You can find the link here:)
http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/94/mode/1up


St Peter Julian Eymard's words:

Chapter title: Mary After the Resurrection

As Mary had suffered in union with her Son dying upon the Cross, so did she share in His joy and happiness after His Resurrection; the life of Mary always conformed to the life of Jesus and faithfully reflected it.

He parted from her in tears, he returns to her with joy! What a moment for Mary, when her Risen Jesus embraces her with all the love and respect that she merited!

Only through love's insight can we reconstruct that scene. Spiritual vision is always proportionate to the soul's sanctity.

But our Lord did not come to visit Mary alone: He was accompanied by retinue of all those Saints who had risen with Him. And St. Joseph, St. Joachim and St. Ann, did they not also come to pay their visit of respect and love? The sight of the Blessed Virgin must indeed have filled the Saints with joy, so pure a reflex of Jesus' light.

So our Lord leaves His Mother not only consoled, but in an ecstasy of bliss when he goes to show Himself to Mary Magdalen and His Apostles.

After having given Jesus to the world, Mary was bound to be eclipsed; she had to remain in the background in order to become the model of interior souls, the patroness of the lowly, hidden life. Mary's mission after her Son's Resurrection was one of love and prayer. Our Lord seems to have kept for Himself alone the secret of his Mother's life; He wished it to be entirely for Himself.

Mary devoted herself to guard Him in the privacy of a life entirely devoted to prayer. Had Mary not consecrated herself to this state, we adorers of the Eucharist could never have found in her our model. But Mary, the unknown servant, and custodian of the Holy Eucharist is our Mother and her life is our grace.

The Resurrection of her Son produced in Mary this prodigy: it absorbed her life, transformed it into the Risen Life of Jesus- a life wholly interior, invisible, separated from all created things and uninterruptedly united with God. Let us remember the more interior the life, the more perfect it is. But it is the lot of souls who, like Mary, desire to love only our Lord and to be known only to Him. (abbr. text)



MEDITATION

Mary, teach us the law of love, "For I tell you, that unless your justice abounds more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). Our charity must surpass that of the "Scribes and Pharisees." Mary had to become one with love to be love. The hidden life of love that she lived in union with the Heavenly Father elevated her soul to the Resurrected life even while she remained on earth. Mary's charity was divine and could only come from her self-annihilation. St. Peter Julian states that "spiritual vision is always proportionate to the soul's sanctity." Mary conceived without sin was in a constant state of grace. Her spiritual vision was as clear as day. The sanctity of her life was lived out on earth in perfect union with Heaven.

Mary's children live on the front line of God's love. We are called to forgive more, love greater, and understand more the wisdom of Our Father. We fail, we fall, we hurt, we long for righteousness. We can only try to purify ourselves from sin and soul search deeply for how we can become more pleasing to God. The Sacrament of Penance should be a companion to us; the mercy of God waits for us there. St. Paul reminds us that he can not even judge himself, "But to me, it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man's day; but neither do I judge my own self" (1 Cor 4:31). Judgement is a great battle for our souls. We must try to submit to the law of God's love. This is the law of love that Mary knew. She judged no-one, not even those who Crucified her Son. Mary is the perfect example of divine charity, goodness, humility, and meekness. Mary is the perfect adorer of Jesus Eucharistic. St. Peter Julian tells us: "The Resurrection of her Son produced in Mary this prodigy: it absorbed her life, transformed it into the Risen Life of Jesus- a life wholly interior, invisible, separated from all created things and uninterruptedly united with God." Perfect!

No exterior mode can see the interior of one's soul. The hidden life you live with God is the first tool for survival in the spiritual life. The Sacraments are our gifts. The Eucharist can never be desired too much. We adore Him, we love Him, we seek Him, until the end of time. We have the opportunity to receive Him, even daily, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). God is with us. Mary knew this divine reality. She lived Her life in the grace of God. St Peter Julian says her life is our grace. Jesus is that grace, and He was, and for all eternity will be her life. Our Mother would only want to give her children everything. Her grace is her Son. Mary longs to bring us ever closer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is there we build Eucharistic communities, and a strong union of love that extends through the heart of Mary's children throughout the earth. Mary, teach us the law of love.



SEND

Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass. The faith you place in the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and prepare for a good and humble confession. Try to find time to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for the gift to make an act of charity for someone.



PRAYER


For Week III to accompany the daily readings, please pray through Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament: Blessed are you, Mary exalted daughter of Sion....

You may choose to continue the Ave Maris Stella and Veni Creator throughout the preparation weeks.

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

Blessed are you, Mary exalted daughter of Sion!
You are highly favoured and full of grace, for the spirit of God descended upon you.
We magnify the Lord and rejoice with you for the gift of the Word made flesh, bread of life and cup of joy.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, our model of prayer in the Cenacle, pray for us that we may become what we receive, the body of Christ your son.
Amen

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.