The Road To Kingdom Come

I thought that I would post periodically during the 33 day consecration preparation for my own benefit and for the benefit of anyone else that might drop in during this period.

I am using the 33 day preparation according to St. Louis de Montfort. Can’t really isolate a particular reason for this other than the fact that I have read more about St. Louis and his relationship with Mary and have always appreciated the supreme reverence and devotion with which he approached all things Mary and also because of his thoughtful and convincing rationale for the consecration to Mary. He calls it “The Secret of Mary.”

During the first 12 days the focus is on “casting off the spirit of the world.” Frankly, I believe that much of the fear, worry and anxiety that has plagued me historically has been directly related to my ingrained attitudes about the things of this world. Expectations, reputation, measuring up, fear of failure, etc. are all attitudes that come from trying to meet the artificial standards of success and the perceived repercussions of failures. Just before I began the preparation I read a post at a blog called “The Mercy Blog” that contrasted the notion of being “successful” with being “fruitful.” The timing was perfect and quite relevant to the spirit of the initial phase of the de Montfort consecration.

The readings for the first 2 days have focused on the Sermon on the Mount and the Lord’s teachings on prayer. Both days celebrate the notion of “smallness” before God and of doing the right things for their own sake with no expectation of recognition or congratulations. I have sometimes felt that I was too quiet and private about my spiritual inclinations and devotions. I feel a bit better about keeping things to myself and praying “in secret” where my heavenly Father sees me in secret.

And on a note of follow up to the previous post, the brain zaps and general internal chaos of the medication withdrawal symptoms are still there but have reduced greatly in intensity. Thursday through Saturday were really difficult and Mass last evening was a real challenge but every day, especially today, has been a bit better. As a matter of fact, my appetite has returned for the first time in weeks and this evening, despite the bitter cold, I actually went out for a jog! I haven’t done that since the late summer. Now that’s progress!