Day 18 Preparation for Consecration

[Dawn Marie]

PREPARATION FOR CONSECRATION DAY 18

Prayers for the Preparatory Period (Days 1-33) to be said daily.

To see the prayers in their entirety click the links below...

Luke 17:1-10

On Leading Others Astray

And he said to his disciples: It is impossible that scandals should not come: but woe to him through whom they come. It were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should scandalize one of these little ones.

 

On Brotherly Correction
Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother sin against thee, reprove him: and if he do penance, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day be converted unto thee, saying, I repent; forgive him.

 

The Power of Faith
And the apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith. And the Lord said: If you had faith like to a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea: and it would obey you.

 

Humble Service
But which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle, will say to him, when he is come from the field: Immediately go, sit down to meat: And will not rather say to him: Make ready my supper, and gird thyself, and serve me, whilst I eat and drink, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant, for doing the things which he commanded him? I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.

 

 

 

Meditation: 1

Our best actions are usually tainted and spoiled by the evil that is rooted in us. When pure, clear water is poured into a foul-smelling jug, or wine into an unwashed cask that previously contained another wine, the clear water and the good wine are tainted and readily acquire an unpleasant odour. In the same way when God pours into our soul, infected by original and actual sin, the heavenly waters of his grace or the delicious wines of his love, his gifts are usually spoiled and tainted by the evil sediment left in us by sin. Our actions, even those of the highest virtue, show the effects of it. It is therefore of the utmost importance that, in seeking the perfection that can be attained only by union with Jesus, we rid ourselves of all that is evil in us. Otherwise our infinitely pure Lord, who has an infinite hatred for the slightest stain in our soul, will refuse to unite us to himself and will drive us from his presence.

 

 

 

Meditation: 2

 

How no Man is Worthy of God's Comfort

 

THE DISCIPLE. Lord, I am not worthy of Your comfort, nor of any spiritual consolation. You deal justly with me when You leave me poor and desolate. Could I shed a sea of tears, I should still not deserve Your comfort. I merit nothing butscourging and punishment, for I have gravely and frequently offended You and have done much evil. All things considered, therefore, I do not deserve the smallest consolation. Yet, most gracious and merciful God, You do not will that any of Your creatures should perish. Desiring to show Your generosity and goodness to those who receive Your mercy, (Rom.9:23) You reach down to comfort Your servant above his deserts and in ways above man's knowledge; for Your consolation is not as the empty words of men.

What have I done, that You should grant me any comfort from heaven? I cannot recall any good that I have done, but have been ever prone to sin and slow to amend. This is the truth and I cannot deny it. If I pleaded otherwise, You would confront me and none could defend me. What have I deserved for my sins but hell and everlasting fire? I sincerely confess that I am fit only for scorn and contempt. I am unfit to be counted among Your faithful servants.

Although it pains me to repeat it, yet for truth's sake I will accuse myself, that I may better deserve Your mercy. Guilty and confused, what shall I say? I can but say, `I have sinned, O Lord, (Ps. 51:3) I have sinned be merciful and forgive. Spare me awhile, that I may show my sorrow, before I go down into the darkness and shadow of death. (Job 10:21) Why do You demand of a guilty and wretched sinner that he repent and humble himself for his offences? It is because in true penitence and humbleness of heart is born the hope of pardon; the troubled conscience is reconciled; lost grace restored. Man is spared the anger of God (Matt.3:7) while God and the penitent soul greet each other in a holy embrace. (Rom 16:16) Humble sorrow for sin is an acceptable sacrifice to You, Lord, and is more fragrant in Your sight than clouds of incense. This is the precious ointment which You once allowed to be poured on Your sacred feet; (Luke 7:46) for You have never despised a contrite and humble heart. (Ps. 51:17) Here at Your feet is the place of refuge from the hatred of the Enemy; here is the place of amendment and cleansing from every stain of sin.

 

 

Reflection:

by St. Claude de la Columbière
TRUSTFUL SURRENDER TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE

1. CONSOLING TRUTHS

It is one of the most firmly established and most consoling of the truths that have been revealed to us that (apart from sin) nothing happens to us in life unless God wills it so. Wealth and poverty alike come from Him. If we fall ill, God is the cause of our illness; if we get well, our recovery is due to God. We owe our lives entirely to Him, and when death comes to put an end to life, His will be the hand that deals the blow. But should we attribute it to God when we are unjustly persecuted? Yes, He is the only person you can charge with the wrong you suffer. He is not the cause of the sin the person commits by ill-treating you, but He is the cause of the suffering that person inflicts on you while sinning. God did not inspire your enemy with the will to harm you, but He gave him the power to do so. If you receive a wound, do not doubt but that it is God Himself who has wounded you. If all living creatures were to league themselves against you, unless the Creator wished it and joined with them and gave them the strength and means to carry out their purpose, they would never succeed. You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above, the Savior of the world said to Pilate. We can say the same to demons and men, to the brute beasts and to whatever exists -- You would not be able to disturb me or harm me as you do unless God had ordered it so. You are sent by Him, you are given the power by Him to tempt me and to make me suffer. You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above. If from time to time we meditated seriously on this truth of our faith it would be enough to stifle all complaint in whatever loss or misfortune we suffer. What I have the Lord gave me, it has been taken away by Him. It is not a lawsuit or a thief that has ruined you or a certain person that has slandered you; if your child dies it is not by accident or wrong treatment, but because God, to whom all belongs, has not wished you to keep it longer.

[Joseph]

Amen.

[bernadette szczepkowski]

What have I done that You should grant me any comfort from Heaven? Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy

on me a poor sinner.

[Lisa Patrick]

Amen

[Kate Jackson]

Day 18. Amen.

[Michael]

Amen.

[Gloria]

In seeking the perfection that can be attained only by union with Jesus, we rid ourselves of all that is evil in us. God pours into our soul the heavenly waters of his grace, his gifts are usually spoiled  and tainted by the evil  sediment left in us by sin.

[Sarah Louise Rita Armstrong]

It is because in true penitence and humbleness of heart is born the hope of pardon; the troubled conscience is reconciled; lost grace is restored.