J.M.J. In commenting about today's Feast, The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Reverend Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., in Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year (Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1996), wrote: "Never for a moment did Mary fail in her complete consecration; God was able to accomplish in her all that He willed, without meeting the least resistance." (page 1172)
Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori (1696-1787) summed up our exact sentiments, perhaps unspoken but nevertheless real and sincere: "O dearly Beloved of God, most amiable Child Mary, would that today I could offer you the first years of my life and consecrate myself to your service, my blessed and sweet Lady, as you presented and consecrated yourself in the Temple for the honor and glory of God . . . . But time has slipped away and so many years have been spent in serving the world and my own caprice, as it were, forgetful of you and of God. Woe to the time when I did not love you! But better late than never. Behold, O Mary, I present myself to you today, offering myself entirely to your service, for the number of days, whether few or many, that are still left to me on earth. ( . . . . ) Accept, O Most Holy Virgin, the offering which this wretched sinner presents to you; accept it, I beg, by the consolation your Heart felt when you gave yourself to God in the Temple. And if I am late in putting myself at your service, it is but fitting that I redeem the time lost by redoubling my devotion and my love." (pages 1172-1173)
Our Lady, presented in the Temple, teach us how to love God and neighbor!
Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori (1696-1787) summed up our exact sentiments, perhaps unspoken but nevertheless real and sincere: "O dearly Beloved of God, most amiable Child Mary, would that today I could offer you the first years of my life and consecrate myself to your service, my blessed and sweet Lady, as you presented and consecrated yourself in the Temple for the honor and glory of God . . . . But time has slipped away and so many years have been spent in serving the world and my own caprice, as it were, forgetful of you and of God. Woe to the time when I did not love you! But better late than never. Behold, O Mary, I present myself to you today, offering myself entirely to your service, for the number of days, whether few or many, that are still left to me on earth. ( . . . . ) Accept, O Most Holy Virgin, the offering which this wretched sinner presents to you; accept it, I beg, by the consolation your Heart felt when you gave yourself to God in the Temple. And if I am late in putting myself at your service, it is but fitting that I redeem the time lost by redoubling my devotion and my love." (pages 1172-1173)
Our Lady, presented in the Temple, teach us how to love God and neighbor!
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On Wednesday, November 18th, for "Diocesan Spotlight," which is one of the features on The Lamb Catholic Radio Network (www.Lambradio.com), I interviewed the Reverend Gerald E. Murray, J.C.D., a priest of the Archdiocese of New York. Please listen.
Thank you for all you do Msgr. Mangan. May we all draw close to God the Father, Son, and Spirit through our Blessed Mother Mary.
ReplyDeleteJ.M.J. Thank you! May what you wrote be our constant desire.
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