Day 24
Oysters are ugly. They live in the water. It is my understanding that sand or some other debris gets into them and the way they deal with the irritation is to form a pearl. These pearls are collected and made into fine jewelry or other things. It is amazing to think about how these are formed, and the lengths that people will go to get them.
We have pearls that have formed in us by God and these are treasures. They are our virtues and graces. But if we keep them for ourselves, it will be like the oyster keeping the pearl. “If you do so, all those pure gifts from God will be spoiled by the unwholesome presence of self-love, inordinate self-reliance and self-will” (Preparation for Total Consecration, 85). So if we keep our pearls for ourselves, then we will be focused on ourselves. That would be like the oyster saying “I am not giving you my pearl, I want to keep it for myself.” (Wasn’t the pearl given to us by God in the first place)?
But if we give our pearls to Mary, she is adorned with such beauty and graces from her children. We, her children, by giving her our pearls trust ourselves to her (which means we are entrusting ourselves to God). We should be willing to give her our pearls (gifts, virtues, talents, graces). “Pour into the bosom and heart of Mary all your precious possessions, all your graces and virtues” (Preparation for Total Consecration, 85). To give Mary our treasure, is to say to God that we trust in Him. Giving Mary our pearls is to say I am at your disposal to do the will of God.” In the end, it is trusting that God has a greater plan; in other words, that we just need to surrender our will to Him and give ourselves to Our Lady because things will be so much better. “Jesus, I trust in You!”
Prayer:
Mary, I trust that you will bring me to your Son. I give you my gifts, talents, abilities, graces and virtues. May they adorn you with such beauty. May my treasures be used by you and may my heart burn with love of you. Amen.