Day Thirty-Two Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century/ A Lenten Journey

Contemplare by MEK

Day Thirty-Two Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century/A Lenten Journey     

                                                                     Day Thirty-Two

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Prayers for this week, Days 29-34 in Lent:

Begin each day with "Let us praise Our Almighty Father, who wished that Mary, His Son's Mother, be celebrated by each generation.  I ask, Mary full of grace, intercede for me."

First Meditation

Let's meditate on the Lord's prayer.  In this first meditation let us realize the importance, the majesty of the prayer -- overall, not the prayer itself.  We will save that for the second meditation.

     Think of the great value of the prayer because of its Author -- Jesus Christ.  Who could possibly be a better teacher?  Does not the idea of Our God giving us this prayer, pay tribute to His very own wisdom?  It is not a long prayer, but it is well within the understanding of uneducated people, yet also a source of meditation for scholars.

     The Lord's prayer contains all the duties we owe to God, the acts of all the virtues and the petitions for all our spiritual and corporal needs.  It is the best way to praise God.

Second Meditation

Slowly and with deliberate thought pray the Lord's prayer.  Pray it with the certitude that God the Father will hear it, because it is the prayer of His Son.  Third

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen

  Third Meditation

Contemplate what the word "Amen," means.  It is actually very consoling.  It's an approbation.  It is an assurance that God will grant our petitions.  "Amen!"  I have requested.  Hear me O Lord!"  Amen.

End the day with the prayer, "May the light Mary has kindled, never go out. Amen"  

End your day with an examination of conscience--even in bed.

What good did I do today?

Where did I fail?

How can I do better?