Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
MONDAY, April 4th Jn. 8:12-20 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “I am the light of the world.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: “You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before others…that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt. 5:14,16) Today, let us contemplate with abundant thanksgiving the shining light whose “Yes” brought us the Christ Light.
Part 1: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
Part 2: MARY, STAR OF THE SEA… by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Part 3: A TRUE STORY… by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
PART 1: THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN THE WORLD by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
Light – what a lovely thing light is. There is no shining light in all creation lovelier than the Blessed Virgin Mary! She alone is the Immaculate Conception, preserved from original sin at the moment of her conception in the womb of Saint Anne and preserved from the stain of sin her whole life! In Mary’s pure light, we see clearly the darkness in ourselves. Thus the poet Wordsworth called Mary “our tainted nature’s solitary boast!”
The Angel Gabriel greeted her, “Hail Mary, full of grace!” (Lk. 1:28) She was the first light of dawn dispelling the darkness, giving way to the refulgence of the Light of the Son of God! As the moon reflects the light of the sun, Mary is the perfect reflection of the Son of God. Her presence gives warmth to hearts grown cold, healing to hearts that are wounded, valour to the faint-hearted, and the Christ Light to souls darkened by sin.
The Light of Christ first shone forth from the womb of Mary. Through Mary, the Star heralding Christ’s birth penetrated the womb of Elizabeth, causing the baby within her to leap for joy! The light guiding us through the tempests and storms of life is Mary, Star of the Sea! The light in the window welcoming us home is the light of Mary’s motherly love for each one of us, shining from our true home in her Immaculate Heart where she forms her children in the image and likeness of her Divine Son, Jesus.
The Light of Christ that enlightens our minds first illumined the mind of Mary! When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, Jesus communicated His inscrutable wisdom and truth to Mary, which she imparts to those who fervently ask for it, freeing them from the darkness of ignorance and error, the lies and deceits of the enemy.
Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, stood at the foot of the cross and willingly suffered all the agonies of her Son’s Passion and death for love of us and for our salvation. Saint Louis de Montfort says that Mary is a Martyr because all that Jesus suffered in His Passion and death on the cross, Mary suffered in her Immaculate Heart—a Martyr of Love with her Divine Son for our eternal salvation!
PART 2: MARY, STAR OF THE SEA… from a homily of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
If squalls of temptations arise, or you fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, call upon Mary. If you are tossed by the waves of pride or ambition, detraction or envy, look to the star, call upon Mary. If anger or avarice, or the desires of the flesh, dash against the ship of your soul, turn your eyes towards Mary. If troubled by the enormity of your crimes, ashamed of your guilty conscience, terrified by dread of the judgment, and you begin to sink into the gulf of sadness or the abyss of despair, think of Mary. In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her be ever on your lips, ever in your heart; and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life.
Following her, you will not stray. Invoking her, you will not despair. Thinking of her, you will not wander. Upheld by her, you will not fall. Shielded by her, you will not fear. Guided by her, you will not grow weary. Favored by her, you will reach the goal. And thus you will experience in yourself how good is that saying: And the Virgin’s name was Mary!
PART 3: A TRUE STORY… by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
As a young man named Francis was assaulted with thoughts of confusion, sadness, and near-despair. Due to erroneous theological ideas—that of Jansenism, which taught that grace was intended only for a predestined elect—Francis was convinced he was among the lost. Barely able to eat or sleep, his life proved to be an almost unbearable cross. However, an occurrence took place that radically transformed the life of this young man. Entering into a Church dedicated to Mary, under the title Our Lady of Victories, the young Francis knelt down in front of a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In front of the image was a prayer to Mary, commonly known as the Memorare, attributed to the last Doctor of the Church, the Mellifluous Doctor, Saint Bernard. With all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength, Francis prayed this prayer to Mary:
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee do I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”
A MIRACULOUS CHANGE: THE CLOUD LIFTED! After praying this prayer with fervor and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a miracle occurred in young Francis. The dense cloud of sadness, almost despair—lifted, dissipated, and vanished, as if it were, into thin air! The sad, melancholic, and hopeless disposition that had almost consumed him, was transformed in the depths of his soul into peace, happiness, joy, and renewed hope! He was a new young man! This miraculous transformation can most certainly be attributed to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary who never fails to come to the rescue of her children! From that moment on, Frances had an intimate, filial, tender, and dynamic love and devotion to Mary, manifested in his frequent praying of the Memorare.
HIGHWAY TO HOLINESS. Surmounting this interior obstacle, young Francis went on with his studies—that of Law. However, this was not his real vocation! As a result, the young man began studying for and was ordained a priest. He became a great missionary in Chablis, Switzerland, where thousands were converted back to Catholicism from Calvinism, largely due to the holiness and apostolic zeal of this one priest. He was consecrated a Bishop when he was only in his thirties! Thereafter he dedicated a huge block of his evangelizing efforts to writing. Two of his literary masterpieces were Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on Love. Not having reached sixty years of age, Francis passed away. Now we know him as Saint Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622)
The purpose of this short story on the life of Saint Francis de Sales is to highlight the supreme importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of this saint! Having stood on the edge of the steep precipice of despair, it was due to the powerful intercession of Mary through the Marian prayer attributed to Saint Bernard, the Memorare, that Frances surmounted this overwhelming interior roadblock.
OUR HOPE AND PRAYER. It is our final hope and prayer that in imitation of Saint Francis de Sales, this great Saint and Doctor of the Church, as well as the many other great saints and lovers of Mary, you will have frequent, filial recourse to Mary. We hope and pray that Mary, your gentle, loving, and all-powerful Mother, will have a central place in your life and your heart with Jesus, your Lord and Savior! Your heart in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and this forever!
Therefore, may you wake up each day and consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. May you walk and talk to Mary throughout your day as your friend, guide, companion, and Mother—your life, your sweetness, and your hope. In your joys, may you rejoice with Mary, and in your sorrows, may you weep with Mary. In your moments of trial and temptation, may you seek refuge in Mary.
FINAL DESIRE. And of greatest importance, we pray that Our Lady will be present to you at all times, but most especially in the hour of your death, in the last minute of your death, in the last second of your death. May it be through the powerful intercession of Mary that you die in the state of grace, which is the grace of all graces! So that upon dying, you will open your eyes to be welcomed into the eternal and loving embrace of Jesus, the Son of Mary, who will be your Lord, God, King, Friend and Lover for all eternity! Through Mary, may the end of your life be a HAPPY AND VICTORIOUS ENDING!
