In order to empty ourselves of self, we must die daily to ourselves. This involves our renouncing what the powers of the soul and the senses of the body incline us to do. We must see as if we did not see, hear as if we did not hear, and use the things of the world as if we did not use them. This is what St. Paul calls DYING DAILY. Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain and does not bear any good fruit. If we do not die to self and if our holiest devotions do not lead us to this necessary and fruitful death, we shall not bear fruit of any worth and our devotions will cease to be profitable. All our good works will be tainted by self-love and self-will so that our greatest sacrifices and our best actions will be unacceptable to God. Consequently, when we come to die we shall find ourselves devoid of virtue and merit and discover that we do not possess even one spark of that pure love which God shares only with those who have died to themselves and whose life is hidden with Jesus Christ in him. ~ St. Louis de Montfort To die to oneself is not simply to renounce sin. It is also to recognize that even our very best inclinations and capacities need to be purified. This death is not the destruction of ourselves, but the transformation of our fragility and limitation into the strength and power of God. This change is not possible without the Cross. Where do you encounter the Cross in your life? Do you embrace and carry this Cross with a faithful heart, or do you seek out opportunities to set it aside? ~ Fr. Hugh Gillespie, Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Christ Through Mary
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 12:49:16 +0000
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