Reflections: How to Grow in Spirituality
Father Hugh Gillespie, SMM
This Spiritual Insight was delivered on the Feast Day of St. Louis de Montfort
Reflections: How to Grow . . .
For anyone interested in growing in Montfortian Spirituality, the French School of Spirituality (for which Fr, de Montfort was the last from that school), has a starting point from which one prays.
It consists of the coupling of two things we Christians do not normally put together.
In scripture we often hear about Jesus . . . the servant. Jesus came into this world to serve. The homily goes on to describe this further. However, scripture also tells us of the times Jesus is at prayer. Several examples are cited.
The French School of Spirituality states that separation of these two actions . . . service and prayer . . . is not correct and is not healthy. These two areas are important for our spirituality and the school insists on the coupling of the two . . . adoration and service. Hear why these two areas are coupled within the audio . . . and what it means to our spirituality.
When the Word becomes flesh . . . we often think Jesus came to save us! When the Word becomes flesh, something happens for God. And, when this happens, He finally has Someone on earth that can Adore Him Infinitely . . . in the way He should be adored and served! A healthy spiritual life MUST involve more than prayer. Hear more about this event in this context!
The official image of The Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts
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Fr. de Montfort had a great love for the Mystery of the Incarnation. He always saw the Blessed Trinity within this Mystery. He sees the Son of God, the Word, being born. Always coming forth from the Father. The Son is always begotten from the Father; always receiving from the Father. The audio speaks on this further.
. . . in Spirituality
Spirituality, for Fr. de Montfort, begins with gazing into the Trinity. It follows that gaze, following the movement of God, into the Mystery of the Incarnation. This is where St. Louis de Montfort is at home within his Spirituality. The Mystery of the Incarnation begins with the Adoration of the Word becoming flesh. Begins with Jesus Living in Mary. The audio explains this further.
What is Devotion to the Mystery of the Incarnation? It begins with paying attention to this Mystery. Few Christians spend much time paying attention to this Mystery! Largely unfamiliar to many. Hear more about this within the audio.
The Incarnation first and foremost is about Jesus . . . the Word Becomes Flesh! However, one can not contemplate this Mystery in its fullness without seeing Mary. In this Mystery, one sees and gazes upon Jesus’ face through Mary. Why gaze at Mary? Because that is where one finds the hidden face of Jesus. Mary, the woman clothed with the Son.
For Fr. de Montfort, a solid devotion to Our Lady comes from knowing her. Knowing her in a way that this knowledge provokes us to love her. What happens when doing so? It produces a movement of love and knowledge in the heart. A movement not only for Our Lady, but for Our Lord. The Lord becomes more than a friend and companion. And, what does love seek to do? It seeks to show itself. The more I adore the Lord, the more I will seek to move in harmony with the Lord. Hear more within the audio!
The Incarnation From Jesus’ Perspective
It is important to recognize that this focus on the Incarnation of the Word is not just on the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. It is also about the self-emptying of Jesus. Listen to the audio speaking of the Incarnation . . . not only from Mary’s perspective . . . but from Jesus’ perspective. Hear more in this audio.
For Fr. de Montfort, his Spirituality involves this Mystery . . . meeting and adoring Christ within this Mystery. Why? Because one who meets and adores Him this way, will go forth and serve Him.
The model for the Christian then, is the adoring and serving the Lord. Its important to understand this. Before serving, the Lord prays. After doing some service . . . He prays and shows the face of His Glory. Around all the prayer . . . and flowing from it . . . is the service. The two actions . . . becomes one. Hear more in the audio.
Seek to Know and Do the Will of God!
Today, spirituality and prayer experts recommend certain resources. However, the deeper Spirituality masters recommend the following: Seek to know and do the will of God! . . . and you will grow Spiritually. It is not a manner of technique or saying one prayer vs. another. Growing Spiritually involves gazing at the Lord, seeking to know Him and then corresponding and acting upon that knowledge. Hear more in the audio.
Note how this correlates to Fr. de Montfort’s love for the Incarnation; seeing who the Lord is and in recognizing that is what we should be also. I am All Yours, and All That is Mine is Yours. I want to conform my actions to His will.
That does not mean forget about all your prayers! No! The issue is to make sure you have not left behind the more valuable thing. I can’t seek to do the will of God without a prayerful disposition. For Fr. de Montfort, his method of prayer, was contemplation folding into adoration of the Mystery of the Incarnation. This is what allowed him to have a deep union with Our Lady and with Our Lord. As a result, he had a desire to embrace the poverty, humility and the obedience that marked the life of Christ.
God is more glorified in these things, than with anything I could do on my own. Hear more on obtaining Spiritual Growth through Prayer and Service. Listen to this Spiritual Insight On How to Grow in Spirituality!
Reflections: How to Grow in Spirituality
