I completed the week long focus on “Knowledge of Mary” today. Frankly, the reading and prayers have been a fog since I find myself just trying to get through it. What I did take away from this week was that as Jesus came to us through Mary, we, in turn, can and should go to Jesus through Mary.
de Montfort does a nice job of leading us through the week focusing on the virtues of Mary but ultimately ending up demonstrating how these virtues lead to greater intimacy with Jesus. In fact, he essentially says that God “does not now have any absolute need of the Blessed Virgin for the accomplishment of his will and the manifestation of his glory.” But, because God decided to accomplish his greatest works through Mary, we can be confident that God calls us to Jesus in a special way through her.
I can tell that this devotion to Jesus through Mary will be challenging since it calls for rearrangement of attitudes and practices of the past. I can only believe that the grace of the Spirit through Mary can accomplish these changes where I myself would find it impossible. That is part of the surrender to her care.
I posted some time ago that my brother had suffered some very serious spinal cord damage nearly a year ago. After surgery he was terribly depressed and faced a variety of emotional, spiritual, financial and physical challenges. I am grateful and pleased to report that he returned to work a few weeks ago and, though he has a long way to go, he is improving and seems to be healing slowly but surely. And, as pessimistic as he had been about his prognosis, he even acknowledged the improvements that had taken place during the past few months. That says a lot given his state of mind not too long ago. Many prayers have been offered. It appears they are being answered.
I am off to retreat this weekend beginning tomorrow. To be honest, I am not really looking forward to it for the first time ever. It is mainly the logistics of driving about 150 miles to get there and the fact that I feel so crappy. I will be with my friend John who just turned 80 last week. I attended his birthday party and remember how fantastic I felt. It was a long drive into Philadelphia and back but I felt so good physically, it was a pleasure to do it. I haven’t a clue what has happened since then but I will be offering this up for a variety of intentions. I only hope that I’m not too much of a downer for John since he so looks forward to this each year. I will do my best.
I will be keeping all who visit this space in my prayers while I am away. There is no formality, just four days of quiet reflection.
God bless you!
Malvern?
That’s wonderful news about your brother’s improvement, Terry.
I hope you will be feeling well enough for the journey to the retreat, because we know how you always looked forward to it so much every year. I pray it will turn out to be a wonderful experience as always, and be a peaceful, sacred space for you while going through the almost-to-last days of the consecration preparation. May the angels take care of each and every detail for you these next four days.
Ditto and Amen to all of what Gab said.
Pia, actually we stay with the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts in Somers Point, NJ. Very informal, not like Malvern.
I appreciate all of your prayers and remembered you in mine while away.