Preparing for Consecration
Week 1, Day 1: Luke 11:1-11
Knowledge of Self
Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit of piety.
Reflection
What a beautiful way in which Our Lord shares with us the generosity that He wishes to bestow on us, how He stands ready to help us in all our needs. Do we pray with honesty, honorable intent and confidence? Let us always strive to give just that much more of ourselves in prayer, so that each day, we increase our dependence on Our Lord little by little, thereby allowing him greater opportunity to be, as we say, Our Father! – Bernadette Harmon
Luke, Chapter 11, Verses 1-11
The Lord's Prayer
1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." 2 And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread; 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation."
The Importunate Friend
5 And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7 and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
Effective Prayer
9 And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.