“We desire God’s favors for our own individual gain, and not for our advancement in virtue and the consequent glorification of their divine Donor. Mary’s self-renunciation should teach us how to overcome this deadly vice, even though the price of victory is for us, as it was for her, moral crucifixion.”

For Reflection:              Define what you think is meant by “moral crucifixion.” How was this so for Mary in her self-renunciation? How has this been so for you in the passages of your life? Do I truly want to be victorious?