How Can One Draw Himself Away From the Love of the World?

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever”.(1 John 2:15-17) 

This was part of the first reading at Mass today the 6th day of Christmas.

How does one draw himself away from the love of the world and the desires of the flesh?  Our Blessed Mother provides a beautiful and straight path to lead our hearts away from this world and toward Heaven which is the true home we seek.  Her answer can be found in faithful prayer of the Rosary.

Our Blessed Mother explains in the promises given to St. Dominic to those who faithfully pray the Rosary:

It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

These promises attached to the Rosary have an Imprimatur.  The promise listed above is just one of 15 promises to those who pray the Rosary.  The Rosary is such a rich source of grace.  Each mystery of the Rosary has a spiritual fruit associated with it.  The Annunciation (the first joyful mystery) yields humility, the Visitation increases love of neighbor and the third joyful mystery the Nativity increases poverty.  The poverty which is referred is often interpreted as poverty of Spirit.  It is the drawing of the Spirit away from the world and increasing desires of things above. It is an emptying of oneself  and allowing Our Lord to fill us. Yes it is so wonderful that this fruit which so beautifully helps us achieve what is called for today in this Christmas reading should come from contemplation of the birth of Christ through the prayers of the Rosary.  

A complete list of the 15 promises of the Rosary can be found by scrolling to the end of the list of our Children's Rosary groups.  To see the list click here.

Image of Mary and Jesus courtesy of: http://www.catholic-convert.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/MaryWithBaby.jpg