ROSARY #27
In our desire to conform to the poor and crucified Jesus, we must strive to develop a spirit of mortification (CONST. 29).
FIRST MYSTERY: LITTLE FLOWERS FOR JESUS
The first small step in following Jesus is to offer little flowers: little things, little offerings, tiny sacrifices that we make with a certain frequency, offering them to the Lord secretly, according to his command: "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. (Mt. 6: 16-18).
It is important 'to us to make a secret of these multiple little occasions on which we exercise the spirit of external mortification, for this must be a habitual thing in communal life (G. Giaquinta).
SECOND MYSTERY: PRAYER AND FASTING
We learn about humility from the Gospel passage that says that the Apostles were unable to expel demons. The Fathers of the Church concluded that this incident was an indication and symbolic of the sin of impurity. In fact, the Apostles were amazed that Jesus could so easily expel such demons. Thus, they asked Him why they could not expel such demons, and Jesus replied: “This kind of demons can only be expelled with prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:28-29).
Therefore, prayer is the first requirement, and then mortification of the senses, of the imagination, of the memory, of the eyes, and of all that surrounds us; mortification, both ordinary and extra-ordinary, in order to attain total control over our inclinations (G. Giaquinta).
THIRD MYSTERY: SPIRIT OF MORTIFICATION
As St. Paul wrote, “What I do is to discipline my own body and master it, for fear that after having preached to others I myself should be rejected” (1 Cor 9:27).
The spirit of mortification must be one of our characteristics... This spirit of mortification encompasses all levels: apparel, entertainment, and many other things…we are based on certain principles of austerity - principles that perhaps are a little strong, or better yet, very strong (G. Giaquinta).
FOURTH MYSTERY: BEAR WITH HIM THE CROSS
God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)
Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in heaven, but few who bear His Cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to suffer for His sake (G. Giaquinta).
FIFTH MYSTERY: MARY OUR HELP WITH THE SPIRTUAL
Today's mentality is vigorously antithetical to any ascetic spirit of mortification. To overcome that mentality we must go against the tide and acquire a solid formation based on the mystery of the cross of Christ (Commentary to #29) "Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God" (Pope Benedict XVI 2009).
May Mary, Mother and faithful Servant of the Lord, help believers to enter the “spiritual battle” of Lent, armed with prayer, fasting and the practice of almsgiving, so as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter Feasts, renewed in spirit (Pope Benedict XVI 2008).
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