“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?

The 31 “lessons” and the quotes in this month of March come from the book written by Father John A. Kane entitled The School of Mary: Forty Essential Lessons for Sinners from the Blessed Mother Herself, ©, 1999. They are used with the permission of Sophia Institute Press.

“Mary, being dead to herself, never longed for God to speak to her until He deemed it necessary for the accomplishment of His designs in her regard.”

For Reflection:       

What do I think it means that Mary was “dead to herself?” To what extent can I say the same about myself? Am I willing to remain “dead” as I await the accomplishment of God’s designs in me? What about me can help? What can hinder? Which virtue do I need to employ?