Preparing for Consecration
Week 1, Day 5: Imitation, Book 1, Ch:24
Knowledge of Self
Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
The True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christlike perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness.
Reflection
It is difficult to imagine the transparency with which we will stand before God to be finally judged. Yes, God is all merciful. But perhaps we could be better prepared for that day by having begged God to show us our true selves. Armed with such insight, we could spend our lives offering ourselves and our actions to our Redeemer with clarity rather than walking our journey with blinders on. The steward was able to realize that his punishment was coming and he took action to mitigate his eventual circumstances. Let us do the same, depending on the clarity of our Mother to guide us to the truth and to help us correct our course before that final day! – Bernadette Harmon
The Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 24, Thomas à Kempis
Judgment and the Punishment of Sin
In all things look to the end; and how thou wilt stand before that strict Judge (Heb 10:31) to whom nothing is hid, who is not appeased with gifts, nor admitteth excuses, but will judge according to right. O wretched and foolish sinner, who sometimes art in terror at the countenance of an angry man, what answer wilt thou make to God who knoweth all thy wickedness (Jb 9:2)! Why dost thou not provide for thyself (Lk 16:9) against the day of judgement, when no man can be excused of defended by another, but every one shall be a sufficient burden for himself!
Luke, Chapter 16, Verses 1-8
The Crafty Steward
1 He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 And the steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.