Week 5 - The Kingdom of Christ, The Word became flesh Day 1



MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

The Kingdom of Christ Contemplation: # 91-98.  http://spex.ignatianspirituality.com/SpiritualExercises/Puhl#marker-p101

Read the Reflection; then pray using # 91-98; ask our Lord the grace not to be deaf to His call, but prompt and diligent to accomplish His most holy will (#91).

• In The Kingdom of Christ contemplation (# 91-98), St. Ignatius presents the perfect freedom that comes from embracing the Master's values and living in covenant union with him.

• Christ the leader is very attractive without fanfare. He does not ask for anything that He himself is not prepared to do. This is His address: "It is my will to conquer the whole world and all my enemies, and thus to enter into the glory of my Father. Therefore, whoever wishes to join me in this enterprise must be willing to labor with me, that by following me in suffering, he may follow me in glory."

• Wholehearted service will always require going the extra mile. Essentially, Jesus is asking the disciple to walk the path of passion-death-resurrection. Resurrection is linked inextricably to passion and death, and vice versa. The glory of Resurrection can only be experienced through labor and suffering for God and His people.

• The net result of this personal encounter with Jesus, our Leader and King, is to make a warmhearted and deliberate commitment to follow closely in the Master's footsteps: "Eternal Lord of all things, in the presence of Thy infinite goodness, and of Thy glorious mother, and of all the saints of Thy heavenly court, this is the offering of myself which I make with Thy favor and help. I protest that it is my earnest desire and my deliberate choice, provided only it is for Thy greater service and praise, to imitate Thee in bearing all wrongs and all abuse and all poverty, both actual and spiritual, should Thy most holy majesty deign to choose and admit me to such a state and way of life" (# 98).

• This consecration is the First Principle and Foundation in the form of a prayer. It is made with greater conviction and desire than when it was first considered at the beginning of the retreat. It is therefore, a very significant moment in the retreat.

• St. Ignatius wants the exercitant to make a commitment to God that is witnessed by "thy glorious mother, and all the saints of Thy heavenly court." It is a covenant ritual, where the exercitant is entering into covenant union with God through their consecration.

• The Kingdom of Christ contemplation acts as a road map for the Second, Third, and Fourth Weeks of the Spiritual Exercises."  Taken from the book provided by Michael Fonseca

 What is God saying to you?  I prepared Jesus for His life, even though we share the same Divinity, He died to self and walked the life I give Him.  I have prepared you for your life as well, sin interferes with how you respond but just as Jesus died to self, you as well must die to self and avoid the trappings of this world.  This exercise will bear much fruit and give you insights into your self and how you are doing till this point in your life.  You have responded well and are learning to be quiet and accepting of the things that come up.  Continue to be conscious of self will and continue to die to self, it is not an easy life you desire but an eternity filled with overwhelming joy.  Go in peace today, you have what is needed.  

Dear Father, there is such a wealth of insight and knowledge when we avail ourselves to You and allow Your Divine will to take reign.  I thank You for these graces, keep me conscious today of my actions, help those who have a lot on their shoulders, you know the burden is heavy but like myself they are not unprepared.  Prayers of thanksgiving for answered prayers in an almost impossible task, You are Mighty God and can do all when we place our trust in You.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Glorious Mother, Pray for us.  

Joesph, Most Strong, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey.  

https://youtu.be/V0aAkOe87mo  Praise God for His infinite goodness. 

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b