15 May 2012: In Christ the Visible World is Created Again

Our spirit is set in one direction, for our intellect, will and heart: towards Christ the Redeemer of man. We wish to look towards him repeating what Peter said: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ We must constantly aim at him “the head”, “through whom are all things and through whom we exist”, “the way and the truth” and “the resurrection and the life”, and who had to go away from us by his death on the Cross so that by his Ascension into heaven the Counsellor should come and keep coming to us as the Spirit of truth. In him are “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”, and the Church is his Body. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp249-50 Proper dispositions to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit God, says St Augustine, desires to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit abundantly upon us; but he wills that we should rightly dispose ourselves to receive them. How then shall we do this? The example of the Apostles will teach us best. They retired into an upper chamber, where they passed their time in recollection and silence. They meditated on all that Jesus had taught them, especially on the attributes and operations of the Holy Spirit. If I desire to receive an abundant outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I must, during this novena, keep myself recollected. I ought to be more fervent in my norms, to guard my senses, and to avoid every irregular affection which tend to the least sin, the chief obstacle to interior peace and reception of God’s gifts. The Apostles joined their recollection to continual and earnest prayer, mindful of their Divine Master’s words, “How much more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Lk 11:13) Their prayer was efficacious and pleasing to God because they were united in the same words, asking the same favor. This, too, Jesus had taught them -- “If two of you shall consent upon earth concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 18:19) During this novena we, too, must add to our ordinary devotions some especially addressed to the Holy Spirit. God will surely hear and answer these prayers. We recall St Luke’s words-- “All these were persevering with one mind in prayer” (Acts 1:14). Convinced of the power of Mary over the Heart of Jesus, the Apostles strove to increase their fervor by her example and begged her to make up for their imperfections, and to present their humble petitions to her Son. They persevered in prayer “with Mary the Mother of Jesus” (cf Acts 1:14). Many of the Church Fathers also expressed the opinion that the powerful intercession of Mary helped hasten the coming of the Holy Spirit. Let us all seek her intercession-- to beg of her to aid our efforts, to be in our midst, and to present our desires to her Divine Son. That she may obtain for each of us the grace not to forfeit any of the special graces which God may intend to bestow on the Feast of Pentecost. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp274-6 Humility “For all your learning, all your fame, all your eloquence and power, if you’re not humble, you’re worth nothing. Cut out that ego that dominates you so completely -- root it out. God will help you. And then you’ll be able to begin to work for Christ in the lowest place in his army of apostles.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 602) “You’re not humble when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 594) ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary in Cana “In the Gospel St John has recorded how our Lady at the wedding of Cana turned to the waiters and said: ‘Do whatever he tells you’. That’s it! Getting people to face Jesus and ask him: ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 149) Let us offer our Mother: ‘Prompt obedience when we are asked to do some errand or act of service.’ Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p309 The Rosary, a family prayer Each day, every member of the family should get together for recitation of the Rosary. The best time is early in the evening, preferably soonest after supper. The parents or one of the children (alternating daily) should lead the recitation. It can be recited kneeling or seated before a statue or picture of Our Lady. The Rosary could be a means of spiritually tying together all family members. Fr Patrick Peyton, CSC, founder of the 'Family Rosary Crusade' said: “When Mary is invited into the home and beseeched repeatedly with the words, ‘Pray for us now and at the hour of our death’, she will defend its members and protect them against the overwhelming evils of today at the two most important moments in their lives. ... The family that prays together, stays together.” · “We wish to invite you to live a Marian life ... May the family Rosary be a balm of peace for your homes ... May the Rosary be ever in your hands; may the Marian prayer continue to sanctify your family reunion every night, and may it give the spiritual tone to your whole life.” -- Pope John XXIII · “The Rosary ... is a form of union with God and has a most uplifting effect on the soul.” -- Pope John XXIII Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, pp53, 54 • Descent of the Holy Ghost upon Our Lady and the apostles, in the year thirty-four of our Lord and the forty-eighth of the age of the Virgin. — Christopher a Castro, Historia Virginis. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Descent `of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles and Our Lady. Our Lady was forty-eight years old. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles and O Lady. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of France (1860). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre-Dame de France”. 1860. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)