Lowering, Listening, Learning       We are told in Genesis 2:7 that, “The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground”. The words, ‘human’ , ‘humble’, and ‘homage’ all derive from the same general word root that means, “earth”. From a biblical perspective we human beings come from the earth/the ground. Hence, humility is the posture of a true, well “grounded” humanity. Tears and Ointment       “As long as man continues to live unreflectively and superficially, he will not feel the need to cry out in tears and in a constant yearning for repentance” (Listen Prophets. George Maloney, S.J.; pp. 47-48). The most amazing things can happen at the “feet of Jesus”: The Heel of Zeal (Part One)       “Zeal flows from an intensity of love” (St. Thomas Aquinas) In the first chapter of The Book of Revelation, St. John describes his first vision of Jesus. He says, “His feet were like polished brass refined in a furnace” (Rev. 1:15). The Heel of Zeal (Part Two)       Zealous love seeks the good of others. When zeal “is intense, then, it impels the one who loves to act against anything that might impede” its purpose: (St. Thomas Aquinas, quoted in Jesus Living in Mary, p. 1273). One Thing       In the gospel story of “Martha and Mary” Mary is seated at the feet of Jesus listening to him speak. Jesus tells an anxious and worried Martha, “There is need of only one thing” (Luke 10:42). In the presence of Jesus, Mary’s interiority might be summed up by these words found in The Book of Job: “The words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart” (Job 23:12B). Devoted Love (Part One)       In Luke 10:39 we see Mary of Bethany seated in the presence of Jesus--”at his feet”--with an interior disposition of “devoted love”, “keeping [her] eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb.12:2). In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples, “No one can serve two masters. He will…be devoted to one” (Mt. 6:24). Devoted Love (Part Two)       “To truly know him is to truly love him” As we continue our discussion on religious devotion, we begin with a scripture passage. In 2 Pet. 1:3 we read: “His Divine Power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and power.” Devoted Love (Part Three)       “A call to holiness is a call to conversion” The Dictionary of Biblical Theology offers a definition for this intimate, heart-level, experiential knowledge of God:“Knowledge is entrance in the vast tides of life and light that emanate from the heart of God and head back to him” (p.299). Devoted Love (Part Four)       We have been speaking about the personal, intimate, heart-felt experience of God in prayer that is called knowledge of God. This knowledge is indispensable for one’s growth in devoted love, holiness, and intercession. Devoted Love (Part Five)       As imitators of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, intercessors are called to follow his way of life in the world. The Holy Spirit wants to lead each of us to the cross where the “false self” is put to death. Devoted Love: An Intercessor's Spiritual Appetite       Jesus desires to continue to live his holy, spiritual hunger and thirst in the world through the hearts of intercessors: A driven hunger to do the Father’s will, and an insatiable thirst for the salvation of souls. In order for this to happen, our inordinate, worldly “appetites and cravings” need to be purified. Devoted Love: An Intercessor’s Eucharistic Appetite       On the evening before he was to die, Jesus gathered with his Apostles in the large, upper room of a house in the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover meal. There, he said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). Devoted Love: No Compromise Under Darkened Skies       As Jesus hung on the cross on Calvary, we are told, “From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon” (Mt. 27:45). Together, Sts. Matthew, Mark and Luke all report this (Mk. 15:33; Luke 23:44). St. Luke adds, “because of an eclipse of the sun” (Luke 23:45).