God's glory in everything.
“Dear children! These days Satan is manifesting himself in a special way in this parish. Pray, dear children, that God’s plan is brought into effect and that every work of Satan ends up for the glory of God. I have stayed with you this long so I might help you along in your trials. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
The ultimate goal in everything we are asked by our Blessed Mother to undertake or to endure is the glory of God - through the fulfilment of His holy will and plans. Sometimes it is useful to pause at the words in the Lord's Prayer: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." By repeating it many times, let us make it a prayer of our heart, filled with deep desire for God's glory to be manifested.
In this message our Blessed Mother wants to assure us that even the works of Satan will serve the glory of God if we pray with trust and confidence, from our heart, if we lead a life of prayer and love even in the midst of adversities. We should not be afraid of trials. We have a wonderful Mother to help us through.
1st day: Matthew 7:24-29. (Thursday)
Building on rock, not on sand.
Matthew 7:24-29.
24 “Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; 25 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.” 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
2nd day: Romans 8:28-30. (Friday)
For those who love God, everything turns to their good.
Romans 8:28-30.
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
3rd day: John 9:1-3. (Saturday)
The works of God are revealed in healing, in restoring what Satan had destroyed.
John 9:1-3.
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.
4th day: 1 Peter 4:12-16. (Sunday)
By sharing the suffering of Christ, God’s glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-16.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker; 16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.
5th day: John 13:31-32. (Monday)
God is glorified in Jesus, the suffering Redeemer of the world.
Cf. John 17:1-5.
John 13:31-32.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
Cf. John 17:1-5.
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, 2 since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 4 I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; 5 and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.”
6th day: Colossians 3:16-17. (Tuesday)
Whatever we do, let it be in the name of Jesus, in thanksgiving to God. Cf. Ephesians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Colossians 3:16-17.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Cf. Ephesians 5:20.
20 Always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
1 Corinthians 10:31.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
7th day: Ephesians 3:20-21. (Wednesday)
Glory to God forever, for his work in us.
Cf. Romans 16:25-27. Glory to God through Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Cf. Romans 16:25-27.
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith -- 27 to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
SUGGESTION
At the end of the first year in Our Lady’s school of prayer, let us say each day this week a prayer of thanksgiving (e.g. Te Deum, “We praise you, O God.”)