Earlier today, I renewed my Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary that I first made on October 7, 2011. Since consecrating my life for the first time, “Mom” has taken me to places that I could never have imagined. Not only have I grown to love her more, but I’ve grown to love her Son more than I ever thought possible. The fact that a lukewarm, comfort-loving coward like me is now working full time as a Catholic Evangelist is absolute proof that Total Consecration “works”! I owe everything to Mary’s intercession and I can’t begin to put my praise for Total Consecration into words. If you haven’t made your Total Consecration, you don’t know what you’re missing!
As I prayed the Morning Glory Consecration Prayer (composed by Fr. Michael Gaitley) earlier today, I was struck by the following line:
Mary, I give you my heart. Please set it on fire with love for Jesus. Make it always attentive to his burning thirst for love and for souls. Keep my heart in your most pure Heart that I may love Jesus and the members of his Body with your own perfect love.
Over the years, I’ve failed miserably at this. I haven’t loved souls…ALL SOULS…like Jesus does. I’ve ignored many individuals whom I’ve found difficult or annoying. I’ve turned my back on people who offended or insulted me. I haven’t shown them the mercy that Jesus has shown me. That chain in the picture above reminds me that I have a helper who will never leave my side. She will help me to love others with her Immaculate Heart and I need her help. As I look at the words, “I am yours TOTALLY” that I wear around my wrist, I’m reminded of the promise that I made two years ago. It is a promise that I renew today in a formal way. Although Mary is doing most of the work, I have to trust her and listen when she speaks. I’m gonna try to get better at that…I promise!
I love you, “Mom” and I’d be lost without you. I am yours…TOTALLY!
I made the Consecration to Jesus through Mary for the first time. I am continuing to “ponder” the 33 days to Glory re-reading some parts of the book. I had a conversion back in 1970 and I am always alert to what the Lord is trying to show me through the many happenings in my life. But I now am more fully aware of Mary since being a convert, I never really learned about her. I know how much I love my children so now in that light, I understand more about her loving us.