In the Footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort
"Footsteps Online"
Autumn 1999 (Volume 4, Issue 3)
Mortification: Montfort's third means to acquire Wisdom
As part of our journey towards the year 2000 when we celebrate the birth of Christ, we have, in the previous two issues of Footsteps been reflecting on the ways or means suggested by Louis Marie de Montfort to help us to draw closer to God and to each other. We first of all reflected on the need to Desire Jesus Wisdom with all our heart, and then we saw how the desire for Wisdom leads to Continual Prayer in our everyday lives. Montfort, in Chapter 16 of Love of Eternal Wisdom challenges us now to reflect on the Cross and mortification in our lives as part of our journey as a disciple. He reminds us that it is all about love and focusing our lives on God Alone.
'The Cross is the evidence God gave of his love for us; and it is also the evidence that God asks as proof of our love for Him.' LEW 176
As disciples we are asked daily, wherever we are to walk in the footsteps of Christ, knowing that the journey will lead to hardship, suffering - and resurrection ! Montfort was also a realist and he recognised that often we do not have to look for penances, for they are present in the everyday,
'....in sickness, various bodily ailments, the discomforts of the weather, and even the sufferings that others impose on us...' LEW 201
But he also suggests voluntary penances such as fasting, vigils and pilgrimages as a way of helping us to turn our gaze to God Alone and to enable us to love others better. It is about seeking with all our hearts for what is truly important in life, and freeing us to love more, whatever the cost.
Let's pause for a few moments now to reflect on what is important in my life, in all our lives.
What is the real treasure in my life?
Who or what do I value most in life?
What am I prepared to sacrifice in my life NOW to gain this treasure?
To help in this reflection read again Matthew 13: 45-46
'The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.'
'He went and sold all that he had'....for that one pearl of great value!
In a society that values lotteries, windfalls, fat cats, millionaires, and the cut and thrust of the economic marketplace, it is hard to be different. But that is precisely what we are called to do - to put God first in our lives, in our thoughts and affections and to put aside ALL that does not lead to Him.
If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, take up his cross everyday and come follow me.' Luke 9:23
The call to be a disciple is universal because it is required of all of us who are followers of Jesus, and it takes courage and perseverance. But it is in the certain hope of the resurrection.
In one of his letters to Mother Marie Louise, co-founder of the Daughters of Wisdom, Montfort wrote,
'I know that you will have many difficulties to overcome, but an enterprise which is going to do so much for the glory of God and the salvation of souls will have its way strewn with thorns and crosses. If you do not take risks for God you will never do anything worthwhile....'
What risks am I prepared to take for God today?
Clearly, for Montfort and Marie Louise there was a social dimension to being a disciple of Jesus. They challenge us to change our attitudes, our ways of thinking , our patterns of behaviour and, above all, how we relate to others in our families and with our friends and those we do not get on with ! So, let's ask ourselves some hard questions!
- What do I need to change in my life so that Jesus can live and act through me?
- How can I relate better to those in my family, my community, my place of work?
- What in my life is not focused on God alone and how does this stop me from receiving and giving love?
- As we approach the 3rd Millennium can I, as a disciple of Jesus, make a difference?
Following in the footsteps of Jesus Wisdom, Montfort and Marie Louise lived lives of utter simplicity and dependence on God's Providence, and asked the same of those who joined them, whatever the circumstances of their lives. As they were prophets in their time, so can we be in our time if our lives are centred on God Alone.
- We can live our lives trusting in God's Providence and listening attentively to His Word in prayer.
- We can stand up to a torrent of clever and skilful advertising that urges us to spend more, become more beautiful, slim and fashionable, have the latest car or household appliance.
- We can live simply in a spirit of detachment and give of our time, energies and financial support to Developing countries struggling to survive and shackled by unpayable debts.
- We can, even in small ways, be prophets standing against the dominant culture of the 20th Century marketplace; real voices that quietly challenge the structures that make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
- We can, with God's help, let our whole lives be given over to discipleship wherever we are, at home, sick in hospital or disabled, at work, retired, unemployed, in the pub, on holiday, at the hairdressers etc.
Can you take risks for God?
Mary was the first disciple of Jesus, for she walked the road of suffering not knowing where it would lead her, only that His Word would be fulfilled in her and would lead to life. Let us ask her to walk with us NOW and at the hour of our death.
Mary, Woman of faith and openness,
who pondered on all these things in her heart,
be our guide on the journey of life.
