Spiritual Gift of the Week
We pray for the grace to recognize and remain faithful to Jesus, the light of the world,
knowing that when we are faithful we honor Mary who said, “Do whatever he tells you”
Spiritual Instruction of the Week
Pray and remember the love of our Lord.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Beautiful Daughters of Mary,
As we come to the close of another year we turn to the power of remembering. “Auld Lang Syne” is an often sung classic. Although it’s meaning is sometimes debated— it’s lyrics point to the significance of remembering good friends and good times. When sung it becomes a way of saying farewell to the past—without forgetting it. Good memories are most surely worth saving.
Spiritual memories however are more than nostalgia evoked by champagne toasts and singing Auld Lang Syne. As Christians, Mary’s memory is our model. She “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart,” (Luke 2:19). We not only seek to follow Mary’s prayerful way of remembering, but also, each week, we say our Memorare. We ask Mary to remember us—and we remember that her intercession is for the sake of our salvation.
Negative memories may at times intrude upon our thoughts. We may become disturbed or burdened, or even obsessed by past mistakes or sins. We may dwell on past rejections or betrayals. The past however can become moments of grace when remembered in prayer. If we remember receiving God’s loving forgiveness and mercy for ourselves—then we will not forget to forgive, and give mercy and love to others. Our memories of God’s grace save us from the sting of sin and sorrow.
Memory is one of three great powers of the soul. Memory, understanding and will—three spiritual faculties, which protect our dignity as human persons. Of the three, the memory is primary. Our faithful memories shape our understanding and sustain our freedom to surrender self-will. There is power in saving memories of God’s saving love.
Memory in prayer is not like reminiscence. Its not just about the past. Rather, we remember, and in doing so, we make present that which we remember. It is what Teresa of Avila called “recollection.” Recollection exercises our memory—not in the sense that we improve our memory simply through memorization, like we do for spelling or math. Rather, it is like calling to mind a pleasing sight, such as the sunrise—a lovely fragrance, like a rose—or the consoling sound of beautiful music. Teresa taught that we train our memories to recall our ‘sense’ of God’s presence—of God’s good will and God’s good work. We recollect our own sense of wonder and awe, and gratitude. We ‘treasure up’ our experiences of God. We remember God’s love. Pope Francis recently said something that helps us to understand Teresa’s way of recollection: “Our God is moving forward on the road with us, He is among us, He walks with us. He saves us. He makes history with us. Be mindful of all that, and life becomes more fruitful, with the grace of memory.”
Holy memories are the essence of our Catholic faith. Our Judeo-Christian tradition begins with the memory of God’s saving work in human history, and in the human heart. The Jews celebrate the Passover meal. We celebrate the Eucharistic meal. Both remembrances form our minds. The Eucharistic memory however—“Do this in memory of me”—transforms our hearts—definitely a salvific memory!
Dear beautiful Daughters of Mary—pray, evoke the memory of love, the love of God. Encounter the presence of God, and enter into the New Year with hope. Let us pray…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Special thanks to so many special women (and men) whose extra work load and extra-ordinary commitment gave Daughters of Mary 2015 many holy moments and memories! Too many to name —thank you to all our beautiful Daughters of Mary! See you all next year!
Che il Signore vi benedica tutti! Felice Anno Nuovo—May the Lord bless you all! Happy New Year!
Deb
Author Info
