Spirituality:
discipleship of Jesus and Mary
The
spirituality of disciples consists of: discipling
Mary, to disciple Jesus and so enter into union
with the Most Holy Trinity.
Relationships
Which Lead a Soul to God
- Fix
your interior vision upon the immutable
being of God and His perfections.
- In
your mind, receive God as the cause of causes;
reverence Him, fear Him, love Him and His
eternal attributes and perfections.
- Love
Him greatly, because He is perfect and we
are far from perfection.
- Fix
your will only on His nobility.
- Sacrifice
your whole being to the most high God, opening
yourself to the disposition of the Divine
Will, desiring nothing else.
- Put
in His hands all your prosperity or adversity,
plus the good fortune of your salvation.
- Listen
interiorly to the voice of your eternal
Pastor and seek to do the works by which
His Majesty will know you as His sheep.
- Be
grateful for all the favors you have received
and give thanks for both the general gifts_the
gift of life itself, for example_as well
as the particular gifts He has bestowed
upon you.
Relationships
Which Lead a Soul to Our Lady
Glorify
and praise the Most High for having chosen Mary
to be His Mother. Know Her, reverence and love
Her as the most perfect of all servant creatures,
God alone. Rejoice with a jubilant spirit because
of Her dignity and happiness. Congratulate Her
often. Love and honor Her. Tell Her as St. Augustine
told God: If it could be possible for this your
servant to be the Mother of God, may it never
happen because you have been made His Mother.
Choose Her for your Mother, your protector,
your teacher and your intercessor for your salvation
and coronation among the saints. Obey Her and
imitate Her as much as your poor powers permit
in Her life and in Her most perfect virtues.
Be very devoted to Her and share this devotion.
Perfections
That Regulate Oneself to God
- Be
cleansed of mortal sin.
- Purify
yourself from venial sin.
- Do
not willingly perform any known imperfection.
- Remain
continually in the presence of God.
- Make
an actual intention of your good works.
- Have
high ideals and execute your good desires.
- Let
your imitation of Christ be real and authentic.
Perfections
Regarding One's Passions
- Root
out all self-love.
- Practice
interior and exterior mortifications.
- Hate
your life in this world.
- Let
your silence be perpetual.
- Guard
your senses and faculties and be recollected.
- Be
contrite and penitent.
- Be
discreet at all times.
Relationships
With One's Neighbors
-
Do not desire nor say or do anything evil
to your neighbor.
-
Do not be so attached to anyone that you
cannot relate to everyone.
-
Give good example and abhor scandalizing.
-
Love all your enemies intimately.
-
See in your neighbors the image of Christ,
Our Lord.
-
Love and respect everyone regardless of
their state in life.
-
Respect the possessions of your neighbor
as you would your own.
Perfections
For Obtaining Peace
-
Work towards doing the will of others before
your own.
-
Always choose to be less rather than more.
-
Seek on every occasion the last place and
subject yourself to all.
-
Desire at all times that the will of God
be fulfilled in you.
-
Don't be disturbed or disquieted by anything
for agitation won't change it. You cannot
remedy it being this way. If it has been
done you cannot excuse it. If it has to
be you cannot resist for by being disturbed
or disquieted you lose peace for something
which is much less than peace.
-
In every trial and success look to see if
you are at fault. If you realize that you
have fallen, pick yourself up and be sorry.
If you have committed no fault don't be
upset, everything changes and ends and there
is very little done that is completely without
blame.
-
Always avert to the fact that prosperity
and adversity, every success or failure
comes from the Father of Lights Who loves
you with an eternal love. If you humble
yourself you shall live.
Perfections
Found in Disciples of Christ
-
Guard your external senses against the vanity
of the world.
-
Guard your internal senses against the false
suggestions of the devil.
-
Believe in Our Lord with an immutable firmness.
-
Hope with an invincible conviction.
-
Adore Our Lord at all times, in all places
and amid all circumstances.
-
Love with a fervent and constant charity.
-
Humble yourself without wavering even to
the profound depths of abasement.
Mysteries
of Life in Conception
ORDER
OF LIFE
It
is only right and just that a person coming
to the use of reason direct the first movement
towards God. If a thinking person has not known
and adored the Creator from the dawn of reason
he or she should do this as soon as knowledge
of God is obtained by the light of faith.
Matt
5:11, 6:21, 6:33, 7:5, 7:12, 16:26, 18:5 18:14-15,
19:5-11, 23:12;
Mark
8:35-36;
Luke
6:24, 9:25, 10:40-41, 14:11, 18:14;
John
12:25.
WORD
OF LIFE
Proceed
as a pilgrim who has already arrived at your
journey's end. Keep your gaze on Him. Walk in
the light of faith and its brightness; run in
the word and continue increasing in love, adoration,
fear and reverence of Him.
Ex
3:14; Matt 6:20-21, 8:5-13, 14:28, 28:19-20;
Mk
8:35; Jn 12:25, 14:2; 1 Cor 1:23, 2:2, 9:24;
Phil
3:12-16; Col.3:11
ONENESS
OF LIFE
Each
day at its beginning, place yourself in the
presence of God. Give Him thanks and praise
for His unchangeableness and His perfections.
Bless and adore Him as Lord and Creator of all.
Ask Him to dispose you to live this day and
always in accord with His will and whatever
would please Him.
Matt
5:48, 6:27, 19:5, 25:35, 28:20, Mark 2:2;
Lk.
12:20, 17:11-15; Jn 1:4; 1 Col. 12:3.
EXPERIENCE
OF LIFE
The
gifts of Our Father give assurance and confidence
while making us humble; encourage us while exciting
carefulness and watchfulness but still preserving
peace. Love and fear produce in our souls a
perfect harmony with the divine will, drawing
us away from evil and uniting us with God.
Gen
1:1, 1:28, 2:17, 22:8-11; Judt 8:12-14;
Ps
35, 115:9-15; Dan 13:35; Mt 27:43; Mk 10:15,
Mk
11:22; Lk 11:9-13, 23:46; Acts 4:28; Eph 1:5
CRY
OF LIFE
When
you are refused the things you desire, why get
sad and lash out in fury against God and others?
When your very life is a gift, why demand favor?
When you want more than is necessary, why be
agitated? Bear hunger, thirst with patience.
In difficulties and necessities be resigned,
contented and at peace.
Ps
34:6; Ezek 16:49; Matt 6:27, 25:35-36, 26:9;
Mk
14:5; Lk 12:18, 12:25; Jn 2:3
SHARING
OF LIFE
Observe
your rules and constitutions for God will reward
this fidelity and punish its negligence. Despising
just and wise laws and frequently dispensing
with them destroys the worship and fear of God
and totally confuses the governing of men. Consider
the adherence of Jesus and Mary to laws that
did not even bind them thereby meriting great
increase in virtue and grace.
Jer
7:21-24, 31:33;
Matt
5:17, 7:12, 7:21, 7:24,8:4, 10:32, 11:29, 16:26,
19:6;
Mk
1:22, 2:21,2:23-27; Lk 16:16; Acts 1:8
CONCEPTION
OF LIFE
If
in your weakness you fail, raise yourself immediately
and in the presence of Jesus and Mary acknowledge
your failing, confessing it with sorrow. In
repeating this again you will find forgiveness
for imperfections and grow accustomed to strive
after what is best in all virtue and most pleasing
to Our Lord.
Gen
18:19; Ex 19:5-8, 32:7-14; Deut 6:14; Wis 8:7;
Matt
5:48; Lk 22:61-62. 23:40-43: Jn 20:26-28; Acts
9
INFANCY
OF LIFE
Speak
with moderation and forethought lest you destroy
charity or hinder it in enkindling all the virtues.
Inconsiderate loose talk, too much talk or disputing
breaks our spirit and veils His presence. Speaking
what is necessary is found in reflection. Listen
to His law which He has written in your heart.
Hear your Pastor's voice and answer Him there
and Him only.
Ps
52:1-4; Prov 10:11, 10:13, 10:19, 15:2-4; 15:21,
Prov.
18:4, 20:18-19; Sir 23:7-11, 27:4-7, 28:25;
Is.
29:4; Matt 5:33; Lk 6:45; 1 Cor 14:3;
2
Cor 1:17; James 1:19, 3:1-2, 5:12; 1 Pet 3:10-12
CHILDHOOD
OF LIFE
As
soon as we reach the use of reason God enlightens,
urges, and guides us to virtue and draws us
away from sin. As He teaches us to distinguish
between water and fire, so we learn to approve
good and reject evil, choose virtue and repel
vice.
He
calls and arouses the person by inspirations
and prompting, provides sacraments, doctrines,
commandments. He ministers by special favors
and tribulations. He disposes the things of
life so as to draw to Him all men for He wishes
them to be saved.
Opposing
this are our tendencies of nature infected by
the foment of sin, false liberty, ungoverned
desires. The devil seeks to fascinate us by
deceitful and sinful suggestions, obscures the
light and hides deadly poison beneath a pleasant
exterior. God renews His mercy and assistance,
recalling us to Himself again and again, adding
graces to those to which we respond. By the
increase of grace we win a victory over ourselves.
Passions and concupiscence are diminished. Our
spirit is made free to soar, rising above our
own inclinations and above the demons. We are
thrust down, vulnerable and alienated from God
and each other if we rely on ourselves alone
and ignore or fail to respond to grace.
Matt
4:1-11, 19:14; Mk 9:42, 10:13-16;
Lk
4:2-12,Lk 22:3-6, 22:31; Jn 8:44-47; 1 Pet 5:8
EMBLEMS
OF LIFE
This
exercise is left blank for you to develop your
own exercise. Imagine you have to sumarize your
desires, aspirations, and experiences and develop
your own emblem or sign.
END
OF LIFE
Keep
in mind that all the living are born destined
for death but ignorant of the time allowed them.
We are certain life is short, eternity is without
end and we can only harvest in this life what
will yield eternal life or death. No one knows
for certain whether they are worthy of love
or hate: this uncertainty urges us to seek the
friendship of God with all our strength.
Mk
10:17; Lk 18:18;
Jn
3:15,3:36,5:24-29,6:33-58,6:68,11:25,12:25,12:50,17:2-3,20:31;
Rom
2:7, 6:4; 1 Tim 1:16, 6:12
CONTINUOUS
In
all things be governed by God either directly
or through obedience to which you freely give
yourself. Let your life be ordained and consecrated
to the goals of Christian perfection and the
close oneness with Christ in His life.
Lk
3:1-23, 4:1, 4:14
DEDICATED
The
greatest happiness which can come is that God
calls you to consecrate yourself to His service.
Correspond to this call in your actions. Your
response brings glory to God, joy to all in
heaven and you to holiness and perfection.
Is
6:5-7; Jer 1:4-10; Lk 23:3; Jn 12:13,17:17,18:33-39;
1
Cor 15:24; Heb 5:10. 6:20
ADVANCE
Remember
that remissness in regard to imperfections opens
the way for others, leading to sin. This disregard
begins a descent from one abyss to another into
a bottomless pit of the disregard of all evil.
It is imperative to head this off quickly. Let
no rules, commands or exercises of perfection
seem small to you; observe them all with rigor
for in God's eyes all are important when done
to please Him.
Prov.
6:16-19; Sir 1:19, 2:12, 18:30; Is 35:8-10;
Jer
7:9; Mk 7:21; Lk 1:75; 1 Cor 6:9; 2 Cor 7:1;
Eph
6:10; 1 Thes 4:7; 1 Tim 1:9; 2 Tim 3:1-5;
1
Pet 2:1, 4:3; 1 John 2:16
VIRTUES
God
communicates to men without distinction the
light of the natural virtues; to those who dispose
themselves to these and grace He infuses supernatural
virtues. Our happiness is to correspond to this
love of our Creator and Redeemer by the virtuous
exercise of our will.
Gen
18:19; 2 Chron 31:20; Is 11:2; Jer 31:33;
Matt
5:3-12, 12:29; Jn 13:35, 15:17; Rom 5:5;
1
Cor 13:13; Col 3:12-17
GIFTS
The
gifts of the Holy Spirit are emanations of God
communicating to and transforming us. They do
not admit to any restrictions other than that
of a person's own limitations. Virtue purifies
us from the ugliness and disorder of sin, bringing
beauty, strength and joy. The gifts raise all
virtue to perfection, fill us with grace and
introduce us into union with God where we rest
in spiritual bond of eternal peace.
Is
11:2-3; Jn 14:26; Acts 1:2, 1:8, 2:4, 2:38,
8,10:45;
Rom
5:5, 12:6-9, 14:17, 15:13-14, 15:16;
1
Cor 12, 13, 14; 2 Cor 6:6, 7:4; Gal 5:22-23;
Col
1:11; 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:24; Heb 2:4;
James
3:17; 2 Pet 1:3-8.
TROUBLES
All
things are regarded as good according to the
appreciation we have for them. Since there is
only one true Good and all others are apparent,
true appreciation and love are given when we
enjoy and esteem Him above all.
Matt
5:10-12, 5:39-42, 7:7; Jn 2:3, 10:11-16
INSTRUCTION
Show
yourself most meek, peaceful, and agreeable
towards those who hurt you. Esteem truly in
your heart. Do not take vengeance nor despise
the jewel of injuries. As far as lies in you,
always give good for evil, benefits for injury,
love for hate, praise for blame, blessings for
cursing. Then you will be a friend and disciple
of Christ and a son or daugher of Our Father.
Num
12:3; Job - They have oppressed together the
meek of the earth. David - Remember David and
all his meekness.
Ps
24; Matt 5:5, 21:5; 1 Pet 3:4.
PERFECTION
The
most valuable science of men is to know how
to resign himself entirely into the hands of
His Creator since He knows why He has formed
him and for what end each man is destined. Man's
sole duty is to live in obedience and in the
love of his Lord. God will charge Himself with
the care of those that confide in Him. He will
take upon Himself the management of all the
affairs and all the events of this life in order
to draw blessings and benefits for those that
trust in His fidelity.
Gen
1:27; Judith 8:24-27; Ps 131; Jer 17:5-7;
Matt
5:20, 5:48, 6:24, 6:33; Mk 10:15; Lk 11:9-13;
Jn
16:33; Acts 20:32; 1 Cor 1:7; Phil 1:6; 3:7-8;
2
Tim 1:12; Heb 3:6, 3:14, 4:16.
INNOCENCE
OF LIFE
The
greatest wisdom for persons consists in the
knowledge of the Cross, in the love of suffering
and in putting this knowledge into practice,
bearing afflictions with patience.
Rom
9:22; 1 Cor 2:4-6; Col 1:11;
Heb
12; 1 Pet 2:20
COMMANDS
OF LIFE
God
is above and beyond all and He has no need of
our foresight. He seeks only the gift of our
will, since created by Him we cannot give Him
counsel, but only obedience and praise. By this
you will perceive what pleases Him and confide
yourself to His protection and in the firmness
of His promise.
Deut
15:5; Ps 19:8; Prov 6:23; Jn 15:14; Acts 1:2;
Eph
11:12; Col 1:15-17; 1 Tim 4:11, 5:7.
Dignity
of Person in the Incarnation
PETITIONS
FOR THE INCARNATION
Pray
and work for the Eternal Salvation of all men
and that the name of Jesus be extolled by all
and made greater than all others. Let your life
be founded in firm faith and unshaken confidence
and never lose sight of your littleness in God's
greatness. Wrestle with God for the good of
His People, firmly convinced that the most glorious
triumph of God's love is to be looked for among
the anawim, the lowly who love Him in uprightness.
Ps
114, 118; Is 54, 60; Mk 7:24; Lk 23:32-44
PREPARATION
FOR THE INCARNATION
Let
your knowledge of creatures by a ladder to ascend
to God your Creator so that you may seek in
all of them their first beginning and last end.
Let them serve you as a mirror in which the
image and likeness of God is reflected, reminding
you He is all powerful and inciting you to the
love He seeks in you.
Deut
8:3; Ps 8:4-5; Sir 43; Matt 6:19-21
NUPTIAL
FOR THE INCARNATION
Strive
to be aggressive and strong in your union of
love for you know that it is increased in the
same degree as mortification and self denial
are practiced. Wash and purify yourself in the
blood of Christ your Redeemer. Cleanse yourself
many times by renewing in penance a loving sorrow
of sins.
Matt
6:5, 9:13; Lk 20:46
HASTENING
FOR THE INCARNATION
Remember
you are no longer a foreigner or stranger in
the house of the Lord but you have been made
His friend, a priest of His Church. Consider
His greatness and enjoy all that He shares.
Be zealous for His honor, thank Him for His
works as if prepared for you along. Love and
reverence Him for yourself and all.
Gen
18:2; Lk 1:39, 2:16, 15:20, 19:5; Jn 15:15
MESSENGER
FOR THE INCARNATION
Confer
within yourself about the love of the Man Jesus,
how faithful He is in His gifts and promises
and favors in sharing His works with you, in
giving light within you, instructing you in
knowing Him, in revealing His works and mysteries,
in showing you universal truth, and in making
you realize the passing away of visible existence.
Gal
2:20; Matt 11:19, 20:28, 9:6
PRESENCE
FOR THE INCARNATION
Consider
and remember the distance for Christ to become
present to you, to call you. Ponder how long
He has waited for you, assured you in doubts,
allayed your fears, ignored your faults, multiplied
your blessings.
Ps
68:6-7, 95:11; Rom 5:20; 2 Cor 6:1
MARY
IN THE INCARNATION
As
soon as we obtain the use of reason begin to
advance towards our Lord. Direct your way in
the path of life and salvation and God will
issue forth to meet you, bringing favors and
communications, for to Him it seems a long time
to wait for the end of our pilgrimage in order
to manifest Himself fully to His friends.
Wis
6:15; Jn 10:9; Rom 10:13; 2 Pet 3:15
SERVICE
OF THE INCARNATION
It
is a cause of confusion and shame to us that
deceit should urge the sons of darkness with
greater force than truth urges the elect of
light; that the number of those who in the world
are anxious to strive in the service of their
God and Creator is so small in comparison with
the number of those who serve vanity; that there
should be so few of the elect though all are
called.
Matt
2:16; Jn 1:14, 14:6, 17:13-17; Heb 2:17
- Blessed
is He who knows the will of God & does it.
- By
the scriptures and especially by the Gospels
- By
the sacraments and laws of the Church
- By
the writings and examples of doctors and
saints and ministers
- By
His speaking to the heart, their interior
feelings in commands
- By
correction, advising and instruction
- By
moving their hearts to ask Him
- By
proposing clearly what He desires
- By
manifesting great mysteries that all may
be recognized and loved.
JOURNEY
OF THE INCARNATION
Esteem
the work and service you are given. It will
enable you to feel great confidence in undertaking
work, ease in execution and fortitude and patience
in completing it. Keep your gaze fixed on what
pleases your Father, hear of it with joy, forget
your own convenience and inclinations. These
are the kind of persons God seeks to serve and
be His friends.
1
Kings 3:14; Jn 5:16-23, 6:27-30, 9:1-5; Acts
13:22
LIGHT
OF THE INCARNATION
Whenever
our desires arise from loving affection and
are accompanied by a good intention God is not
displeased at our making them known as long
as it is done with resignation to Divine Providence.
No one can serve two masters, Christ or Satan,
nor harmonize light and darkness.
Matt
5:14, 6:22-24; 1 Jn 1:7
ENEMIES
OF THE INCARNATION
If
people hate and persecute you, answer them with
meekness and love, praying for them with intimate
affection of your heart. If it is necessary,
heal their wrath with kind words and give truth
to those led astray by false reports. Do this
not to excuse yourself but to bring peace to
your brothers.
Job
31:35; Matt 5:44, Matt 12:18-21; Rom 8:28
ANXIETIES
OF THE INCARNATION
If
men would strive to know God's care for their
direction and advancement as a Father of mercies,
they would be relieved of unknown, useless and
dangerous anxieties, vain toils and false trust.
They would resign themselves without hesitation
to His wisdom and love. Mary in her gentleness
would watch over all their thoughts, words and
actions and all things necessary for them.
Matt
6:5, 21, 27, 34; Lk 12:4-8
PARDON
AND PRUDENCE OF THE INCARNATION
Men
know they are all children of the same Father
in heaven, works of His hands, formed of the
same nature, nourished in His grace, kept alive
by His Providence and reared at the same table
of His Divine Mysteries and Sacraments. Yet
they forget and despise all these advantages,
concentrating their interests on trivia, exciting
themselves without reason, swelling with indignation,
creating discord, quarrels, indulging in distractions
and harsh words, rising to hatred and revenge.
Is
64:8
Through
