"Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?" - Song of Songs 6:10
5. Legionary devotion the root of the Legionary apostolate. (page 22-23)
“The Gospel, the Word of the Lord, is the "new wine" that has been gifted us, but to be good Christians we need a "new behavior", a "new style" that is truly the "Christian style", and this style is indicated by the Beatitudes. This is the meaning of the “key word” "New wine in new wineskins". Pope Francis made this the theme of his homily at Mass, Monday morning, on January 21st at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
According to the Pope, we learn about the Christian style by first knowing our attitudes that don’t belong to the Christian style. In this regard, he points out three of them: the "accusatory style", the "worldly style" and the "selfish style". These three styles happened to be the Church teaching about the three enemies of the souls: “The devil, the world, and the flesh.”
Why do I mention the Pope’s theme of his homily and why does the Church teach us these three enemies of the souls? It is simply because our life on earth is a constant battle. Especially when we became the legionaries of Mary, we are standing in the frontlines of battle in a spiritual war.The Pope says that the accusatory style belongs to those who always try and live by accusing others, disqualifying others, acting as absent promoters of justice. It's the style of the devil. The devil tries to seduce us into sin and it never goes sleep. The “world” we speak of here is in opposition of unity with Mother Mary and following Jesus’ footsteps, and their values and standards against the worldly life.
Pope Francis also says that the flesh is the selfishness, the spirit of indifference that is common in our communities. One believes oneself to be a good Catholic but doesn’t worry about the problems of others – wars, illnesses and the suffering of their neighbors.
Frankly speaking, we all are weak and we all have our own cross and suffering. If we carry them by ourselves alone, it would be so easy to be devoured by the three enemies. What the handbook says today has very good guidance; we need to show whole-hearted devotion to the Mother of God. Each one of us needs to unite our devotion to Mother Mary by serious meditation and zealous practice.
The handbook pinpointed this, “If devotion is to be in real truth a legionary tribute, it must be an essential part of the Legion – as much an obligation of membership as the weekly meeting or active work in a perfect unity.” And interested enough, the Handbook even points out; “this is the point of view with which members cannot be too deeply impressed.”
While I was reading this part of page 22, I know God knows our weakness, our strength, and Mother Mary understands us, therefore, now. I want each of you to pat yourselves on the back, say to yourself that “job well-done, good faithful servant!” Now, I would like you to turn to the person next to you, shake his or her hand or you may hug each other too and say “Thank you for coming here today, thank you for your support, Thank you so much!”
Since we are the legion of Mary, we are a team. Through the meetings, we unite together to build up our trust, our friendship and support to each other. Just like the handbook says: “This unity is so precious in the sight of God that he has vested it with an irresistible power…” My dear brothers and sisters, let us persevere with one mind in prayer with our Lady so that we can receive all the grace from God through her more and more every day.