The Unity Prayer teaches us to unite with Jesus through every aspect of His life… from the Crib, to the Cross, to the Resurrection.
At the Crib, as an infant, we encountered Him during Advent, tenderly praying, “My Adorable Jesus.” And kissing those chubby feet as we pray, “may our feet journey together.”
During Lent, we are given the extreme privilege and honor of walking with our Lord to the Cross — and in our own small ways, dying to our will and to our comforts. “May our hands gather in UNITY, asking don’t let go of me, this is hard.”
And then, of course, we encounter Him in the Resurrection — where He makes us new each day, pouring out fresh graces and mercies. “ May our thoughts be as one, that you have come to give me a new life. “
This is the life in Christ. And when we cooperate with grace, it becomes our life every single day, a prayer without ceasing.
During Lent or anytime throughout our lives, suffering only bears supernatural fruit when it is borne with Christ and for Christ.
It is Jesus alone who sanctifies our suffering. He is the reason for its merit.
Lent confronts us in our desire to be made holy— because it calls us to die to sin and well, that can look extreme.
Are we living lukewarm?
Are we clinging to comfort?
Are we afraid to sacrifice too much?
What is our comfort costing us?
Comfort steals joy because it robs us of the opportunity to suffer with Him and therefore be resurrected. The lie whispers that what we are giving is greater than what God can give , or wants to give, in return. This was the lie of the serpent in the Garden. Evil always makes us run from discomfort!
One of my favorite memes is below… and the Holy Spirit likes to bring this one to mind more than i care to admit! How could my little offering, discomfort, sacrifice really amount to anything bigger?
From the Spiritual Diary (p. 195) Jesus: how it pleases Me when your heart suffers with Me and is thrilled at the slightest trifle. Your continual docility to My inspirations floods your soul so quickly with light. I am the Light of Christ. All can lift their gaze to Me. I am the majestic greatness of sacrifice, the inexhaustible depth of mercy, the abundance of example, the God of visible patience, the inexhaustible goodness that flows from Me to all with overwhelming abundance. Who else could say this of Himself? Only I, the Light of Christ. I am one nature with the Father. I who did everything for you in order to be the Light of the world that you must follow. I, the dispenser of strength to human weakness, have shown through My human nature the road that you must follow.”
If we will suffer with Him and are docile, the LIGHT of the FLAME enters for all, so that we may pick up our cross and follow. The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart is about transformation because it is pure grace, a gift of the Father, obtained by Our Lady through the merits of Christ’s wounds to live out the call of Christ, for ALL SOULS! Through this “torrent of grace” we can experience divine love and union. This is why the UNITY Prayer blinds Satan. What are we saying when we pray the Unity Prayer? That we want to walk with Christ. That we want to be one with Him. Through it, we enter into the Flame of Love. This transformation is absolutely radical, breaks strongholds, and we can see the impact it is making around the globe. Mary is absolutely preparing her Children for Her Triumph and igniting hearts, especially the Church!
This Lent, let us walk to the Cross with Jesus. Do do not compare your journey with anyone else’s. It is deeply personal. And yes — it can look extreme. Remember that everything is grace. Suffering with Christ is not loss. It is intimate invitation to make a little spark because it is offered with our love.
From the Spiritual Diary (p. 236) Mary:
“Yes, my little one, we will put out fire with fire: the fire of hatred with the fire of love. The fire of Satan’s hatred hurls its flames so high that he believes his victory is at hand. But My Flame of Love will blind Satan. I have placed this Flame of Love in your hands. Soon it will reach its destination, and the flames springing from My love will quench the fire of hell. My Flame of Love, with its unimaginable light and beneficent warmth, will wrap the earth. To accomplish this, my little one, I need sacrifice — your sacrifice and the sacrifice of many — so that the minds and hearts where infernal hatred burns may receive the soft light of My Flame of Love.”
Then she explained:
“Do you know what you represent? You are a sparkle of light enkindled in My Flame of Love. The light you receive from Me enlightens souls. The greater the number of souls who sacrifice and watch in prayer, the greater the power of My Flame of Love on earth. Line up in close ranks. It is through sacrifice and prayer that the flash of hellish hatred will be overcome. Evil will diminish. The burning flame of hatred will be extinguished. The splendor of My Flame of Love will fill the earth.”
I hear many — even within the Church — caution against extremes. But I do not know of one saint who was not extreme. Do you? I’m sorry but living a life in Christ is an awesome adventure where you are literally trading your life for HIS, and that should look “out of this world.” 🙂 It’s a love story! In the diary Elizabeth writes often about his extravagant love!
This Lent, as part of your journey, consider praying nine Unity Prayers each day — a novena of Unity — contemplating the Cross as you pray. Ask for the grace to truly accompany Him. Ask for a share in Your Savior’s Cross. Make the sign of the Cross, meditating on His wounds, and really kiss and honor them. ENTER into the Flame.
Maybe that feels extreme… good! Let this be a prayer, give Jesus that discomfort. Burn like the bush this Lent. Do not count the cost rather trust the promise. After the Crucifixion comes what? The Resurrection.
St. John of the Cross teaches that mortification, even physical suffering, belongs to a life of union with Christ. The more generous the soul, the more intimately it participates in the interior life and apostolic work of Jesus. Doesn’t Elizabeth Kindelmann teach us this? We cannot be intimate with Christ if we do not suffer with Him — if we do not ascend the Cross with Him. “Let Christ crucified be sufficient for thee. With Him suffer. With Him rest.”
THANK YOU for all your prayers and sacrifices to ignite Our Lady’s Flame. May we see Jesus in one another and recognize His Light , for we are all journeying, each carrying a cross, for the sake of love.
May our feet journey together with Jesus,
Jill Metz, US National Director