Blessed be Mary Immaculate!

Dear Knights,

The Advent turns our attention to the most miserable town of Judaea, which was chosen despite of its indisputable poverty — Bethlehem. God gives us hope for rising from ruins which were caused by the original sin. If we would be frank with ourselves, we will repeat after Saint Maximilian that only of our own accord we are capable of committing the worst sins. Our fallen nature is not able to rise itself. Those who look upwards can see a soft brightness of light that is permeating freely among the biggest darkness. However, that is way our arrogance and vanity will not give up without a fight. Wise men from the East had their special star, but what is more they had courage to follow it, regardless of the world’s contempt. They were not afraid of being silenced like the evangelical leper was. Our human heart knows no peace until it rests in our Lord. That is why we are ceaselessly impressed by the courage of martyrs or the nobleness of believers. Did they have different hearts from ours? There are two sides of the same „coin”, of the same human nature. The first is a weakness which “did not know that Man”, the other is a veil arrogance which says “Lord, depart from me, I am a sinner”. But Saints knew the truth; they knew who they really are. Their tears of bitterness had attracted God’s mercy, which was reflecting in their souls since then. God’s love is forgiving. That is why He was born in Bethlehem, in order to let everyone come. And here they come — humble shepherds who saw an angel or learned wise men who followed the star. God knows how to bring souls back. He is the Creator and does not tar everyone with the same brush. That is the reason for diversity in Church: so many monastic families, congregations and schools. All of them have its roots in the beating heart of God which was carried in Immaculate’ bosom and offered to the world which hurt it. That is the price for our salvation. Mother, who hurries to her helpless children, who does not hesitate to come back to Bethlehem where her baby is weeping among the overwhelming poverty, is our solution for becoming God’ sons again. According to the blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity, the Advent is an expectation for Christ incarnation in our souls. That means that we have to make room for Christ not only in our prayers, workplace or school, but also in our desires, which have to pursue a defined goal that is being a loving child of Her. If so, it is not going to be tough to repeat after Saint Maximilian „With Immaculate’s help I want only what she want for me and the only thing that I am afraid of is my will”. Giving ourselves to Her is the way of getting peace of heart, which cannot be shattered by any experience, difficulty or even our weakness. During our rush to the Bethlehem, we should not forget about that.

Fellow knight in Immaculate