Quick and Easy Path to Holiness: Consecration Day 7

Welcome to our 33 day Marian Consecration Retreat as we prayerfully anticipate the commencement of the Year of Mercy. Join us as we share the book 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC.

Today's Reflection:

Quick and easy? Holiness? Seriously?!

And yet here we are on Day 7 and I'm still waking up every morning with a yearning in my heart to spend my retreat time with all of you along this 33 day path to give our lives fully to Jesus Christ through Mary.

So when Fr. Gaitley wrote these words in today's retreat reflection, I nodded and smiled:

"Mary is the mold that forms us most perfectly, quickly and easily into other images of Christ."

Does this ease mean that we'll have fewer crosses and burdens to bear? Not necessarily.

But as we read today, St. Louis de Montfort helps us to submit these crosses fully to our Blessed Mother. In our union with Mary and the Holy Spirit, we don't have to bear their weight alone. This past week, when I've encountered tiny "crosses" in my path, it's been a total gift to bear them lovingly to Jesus through Mary and to realize that no "Lisa power" is involved in fixing whatever's broken. This doesn't mean that I give up caring or praying for the situation at hand. But there is ease in realizing that Our Lady has her hand and heart on these intentions, that she is alongside me lifting them up to God.

The quickness and ease comes in fully realizing that I am being perfectly formed for whatever lies ahead. If I allow myself to be...

To Ponder:

Does this path to holiness of participating in this 33 day retreat feel "quick and easy" for you? If not, what challenges are you facing? If so, what burdens have been lifted from you?

Let Us Pray:

Mother Mary, help me allow myself to be fully molded and perfected in holiness by and through your love!

Copyright 2015  Lisa M. Hendey