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Theme for the
Week: Knowledge Of Self
Prayers,
examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of
contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet
of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves.
It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our
miseries without despairing.
We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of
ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit
of piety. During this period, we shall consider not so much the
opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the
miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us.
Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way
to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christlike perfection,
we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our
misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of
ourselves'?
Luke 11:1-10
And it came to
pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of
his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught
his disciples. And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father,
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is
indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.
And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to
him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves,
Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me, and I have not
what to set before him. And he from within should answer, and say:
Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in
bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I
say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his
friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise, and give him as
many as he needeth.
And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall
find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh,
receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it
shall be opened.
Prayers for the First Week
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