Little heart, are you truly devoted to Mary? You say to yourself that you still have a long way to go. Aware of your weaknesses and faults, more so now than you ever have been, you are very unsure of many things. And that's okay. Your confidence should be in God and in all that He had placed in Mary. When you look to her and see how blessed she was...how guided and inspired she was...how God sustained her in every moment of her life, you can know that the graces she received from Him are reserved for you, too.
There is no use in trusting yourself and your own abilities. This is why you find no satisfaction in your accomplishments...that while you may be tempted to seek the approval of others, you are left wanting to know only if you had accomplished the will of God. All else is empty...like Mother Luisita says, "a puff of smoke".
Pray for an increase of Mary's virtues in your own life:
- deep humility
- lively faith
- blind obedience
- unceasing prayer
- constant self-denial
- surpassing purity
- ardent love
- heroic patience
- angelic kindness
- heavenly wisdom
Notice that each virtue is extraordinary. Not just humility but DEEP HUMILITY. Not just patience but HEROIC PATIENCE. It must go beyond the common niceness and courtesy that the world expects. All of this takes a COMPLETE DYING TO SELF. Difficult? Yes, but not impossible. You have help at all times, remember that. Mary prays for you, the Holy Spirit empowers you, the saints root you on.
Reflect on what these mean to your life. Never seeking recognition or praise. Giving God all the glory for everything He does through you. Being excited about Jesus and sharing the faith with everyone you meet. Not being afraid to witness to the power of God and the transformation He brings about every day. Not asking any questions whenever summoned to service or accepting some change in your life, especially when you don't understand why certain things are happening. Living your life as an ongoing conversation with God, allowing Him to speak to you in your circumstances, in the people you encounter each day, in the silence of your heart. Putting others before you. Being more concerned about their needs than you are about your own, in all things spiritual, emotional and physical. Avoiding all that draws you away from God and letting periods of great or small suffering be the means to cleanse and purify your soul in whatever way He deems best. Giving way to the fire of the Spirit that burns in your heart, being unable to contain His love for yourself alone. Bearing the crosses of others who cannot seem to carry them alone. Seeking to understand their weaknesses and refusing to judge their hearts, even when they cannot seem to meet you with patience in return. Pouring out the sweetness of Heaven in each conversation you have and in every smile you offer to those whose spirits need that lift. Seeing all people as temples of God Himself dwelling within them. Acknowledging their value, especially when they cannot see it for themselves.
Be prepared in these coming weeks for the Blessed Mother to teach you as you are tested. You can only acquire these virtues in the school of Mary, facing arduous trials as she did but personally orchestrated for your life. She did not live in fear because she trusted in God, and when she was tempted (for she had to have the opportunity to continue to say yes to Him and no to Satan) her immediate response was Truth, just as it was for Jesus. She knew her God intimately because she spent her whole life seeking to serve Him. You must do the same. His grace is sufficient for you to learn and to do. Are you ready? Will you accept the challenge for the love of God?
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