Single Mothers of Mary Topic 28
Goal: To see that authentic self-realization can only begin after one looks honestly at self with the help of Jesus
Topics covered in this post:
- Inspirational Women: Mary and the Woman at the Well
- Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- Guidance on the gentleness of Jesus, avoiding judging people rashly, and encouragement to overcome even small temptations
- Questions on self-knowledge, Jesus’ goals for us, and how to to tell the difference between rash judgement and moral honesty
Thirsting
Cast away
Excluded from the crowd
Her heart-broken
Looking in deserted heart-places
Carried into relationships that too soon evaporate–they never stay
The heat of the day presses down
Searching for love
She wants to hide
She wants to cry
She feels too dry
—
The rubbled road never seems to lead to home
The comfort is always stolen
Walking alone
She finds a Man at the well, alone
He thirsts
She’s not sure
He might be the Person she was looking for…
Prayer: Third Luminous Mystery (The Proclamation of the Kingdom)
- Start with short introductory prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petitions.
- Read John 4: 4-42 and reflect.
- Creed, decade of the Rosary with St. Louis, praying for the forgiveness of our sins with Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
- Glory Be and reflect silently on the Mystery.
- Discuss any inspirations or questions about the Mystery.
Readings:
- “Savior of the World,” Chapter 8 from Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen
- CCC 543-550 (the proclamation and signs of the Kingdom), 551-553 (the keys), 1803-04, 1812-13, and 1830-2 (virtues and gifts of the Spirit)
- Familiaris Consortio 23 & 24 (women, society, and offenses against their dignity)
- St. Francis De Sales Part III, Chapter 28 (on rash judgment)
- St. Francis De Sales Part IV, Chapter 6 (the importance of resisting small temptations)
Faith Witness:
- Discuss how Jesus works so gently with the Woman at the Well.
- Why do you think honest self-knowledge coupled with knowledge of God–i.e., spiritual poverty–is such an important part of being a true disciple and a truly loving person?
- Seeing our own faults can be scary. What can we do to overcome that fear of self-awareness or self-knowledge, and should we ever look this honestly at ourselves without Jesus? In other words, what happens when we do not trust Jesus’ saving power but are able to see some of the effects of sin?
- What are some things that prevent us from seeing our own faults?
- What does Jesus assure us after we allow ourselves to see our faults, weaknesses, and emptinesses?
- What fruits begin to manifest after we take this essential step of self-realization with Christ who alone gives us this knowledge–it takes courage to know self–and who alone can be our Savior?
- How does self-realization help us to love our neighbor?
- What is the difference between honest self/other knowledge and rash judgement?
- What was and still is Jesus’ primary goal for all of us?
- Please pray the Beatitudes and meditate on the mystery of Jesus’ saving mission this week.
Single Mothers of Mary 