Living Consecration to Mary
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Consecrating oneself to Mary is just the beginning. From there we must go on to live the consecration, to live a personal relationship with Mary. This is what Jesus lived moment to moment day after day, for about three years in Egypt and 27 years in Nazareth. Imagine what the relationship between Jesus and Mary was like as He grew up under her care. His first words each morning would have been “Mama!” Where would you find him throughout the day, if not in her arms or clinging to her leg, like any toddler? He wasn’t anxious about what he was to eat, wear, or do. He turned to his mother for all his needs and remained close to her. He lived in her constant presence and she took care of Him. If we want to live in imitation of Jesus, then live in imitation of that. We on the other hand live in pride and the radical self-reliance that results in anxiety, worry and exhaustion. Imitate Jesus, belong to Mary, surrender to her and she will take care of everything. As St Maximilian Kolbe would say; I see Mary everywhere, I see difficulties nowhere!
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Early on in this journey, she’ll carry you. Then as you grow and mature, she’ll put you down and make you walk. She’ll let you fall, then she’ll pick you up and make you walk again. Then she’ll let you fall. As you mature, she will allow you to enter your own way of the cross. But she will stay with you, like she was with Jesus when he fell carrying the Cross. She will obtain by her intercession help for you to carry your own cross. That’s why Simon of Cyrene entered the Way of the Cross in the fifth station. Why do you think Simon enters the scene when he does? Because Our Lady obtained help for her Son on His Way of the Cross by her intercession at the fourth station. So, says St. John Henry Newman. That’s why we find Our Lady at the foot of the cross. She will help you through all the stages of your life, as she helped Jesus. She is the Virgin of beginnings, transitions, and ends. But each stage will look different. The goal of Mary and the Holy Spirit is not that you remain infantile, but that you mature in your likeness to Christ, which means she must put you down, make you walk and even carry your own cross. But she is with you, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Why did I develop such a strong relationship with Mary? I shared with you the moment in 1991 when I was watching the documentary Marian Apparitions of the 20th Century when the room dissolved, and it was just me and her. I believe I received special grace in that moment that pulled me out of a life of grave sin almost instantaneously. But that’s not why I have a relationship with Mary. My daughter Teresa made me realize that the real fruit of that encounter with Mary was that I knew she was real. Becoming convinced she was real, I wanted a relationship with her. I think she’s right. Mary is real. Do you want a relationship with her?
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Then, doubts break in. A personal relationship with Mary is not for me. I’m no one special. I have such a sinful past. I’m not and never will be worthy. We think a relationship with Mary is for the privileged, holy few like John Paul II or Maximilian Kolbe. Do you hear the voice of the evil one? “This isn’t for you.” Renounce that lie. Mary is your spiritual Mother and she wants a relationship with you.
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One develops a relationship with Mary like you develop a friendship with anyone. Mary wants to be in your life at every moment. As we recognize this, we need to talk with Mary and spend time with her. I have a full-size replica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in my chapel at home. It is five feet high and three and half feet wide. I sit in front of this image and spend time with Mary. I look at her and remain in her presence. Jesus and Mary are real individuals, real persons who wants to be in your life. Their friendship is the greatest source of happiness. Once you surrender yourself to them, the more they take care of everything. That’s what living the consecration is all about.