Preparation for Total Consecration

WEEK 1:
THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD

The spirit of the world means in practice to live as if God does not exist. It is a self-centred existence, always with an eye to 'What's in it for me?' Yet, either 'God is of supreme importance or he is of no importance'.

First Day: Mt. 13: 34-36

STAY AWAKE

Parable.It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his own work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cock-crow, or in the morning - lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.

Reflection.Most Christians, it has been said, would live and act as they do now even if Christianity proved to be a fairy-tale. Is that true of me? Am I asleep or awake to God with me now? My faith challenges me to be alive to God in Christ - it is literally a way of life. Am I sleep-walking through life as far as faith and Christian perspective are concerned? Does my way of life suggest that I believe that the gift of life has been entrusted to me by God?

The world which ignores God tries to forget death. But death does not forget us. Baptized into Christ, the Christian believes that God in Christ rose from a grave to be with us now in the Spirit. That is massive security in the face of a grave. If I wish to make that security mine, my life should be lived now in the presence of my risen Lord Jesus.

Prayer.Lord Jesus, life is a gift. Each heart-beat takes me closer to the moment when I shall die. I pray to live sufficiently alive and alert to your will, that when I come to die I may believe that I am then to live with you for ever.

May your Mother, who shared your life on earth, your death on Calvary, and your glory now in heaven, pray for me now and at the hour of my death.

Montfort.'In order to empty ourselves of self, we must die daily to ourselves ... If we do not die to self and if our holiest of devotions do not lead us to this necessary and faithful death, we shall not bear fruit of any worth.' (TD 81).