Fr. Martin’s reflection on - Our Lady’s Message

25^th May 2018

“Dear children, In this peaceless time, I am calling you to have more trust in God who is your Father in Heaven and who has sent me to lead you to Him. You, open your hearts to the gifts which He desires to give you and, in the silence of your heart, Adore my Son Jesus who has given His life so that you may live in eternity - where He desires to lead you. May your hope be the joy of a meeting with the Most High in everyday life. Therefore, I am calling you: do not neglect prayer because prayer works miracles. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Medjugorje North East and beyond,

In Our Lady's school of love and prayer Mary calls us at this time of grace to allow a new Spirit of God settle in our souls. "In this peaceless time,"

so, begins this month's message, Mary invites us to have an awareness of the things that may rob us of our interior peace, and to show us the way to true and lasting peace.

Mary recognises that the times are 'peaceless' she sees the pain of the world and her suffering children, she sees the lack of peace in many hearts and in the Church too.

Our Lady has told us since the first apparition that she is the 'Queen of Peace' and desires each person to begin to work on their hearts so that Peace may reign.

From the outset Our Lady has told us, that 'without you Gods plans cannot be realised.'  The starting point is to recognise, have an awareness of our 'peacelessness’ and to look at our own situation and note the conditions that create this lack of Peace. Mary shows us the way to having a peaceful spirit. "Have more trust in God who is your Father in Heaven and who has sent me to lead you to him."

What is the source of our lack of Peace today?

How often, do people feel this lack, and become disorientated and anxious? How often, in life we may feel like the Apostles in the boat on Galilee during the storm!

Jesus points to their lack of Faith and trust. Mary tells us that ‘Trust’ in God who is Our Heavenly Father is the way to deeper peace. it is a good thing to regularly make an act of Faith, to surrender our lives, to abandon ourselves to Our Heavenly Father. One 'Our Father' prayed from the heart with great Faith, can restore our peace, as we place ourselves in his loving arms.

Our Heavenly Father is peace, Mary calls us to entrust ourselves to his embrace, like the son in the parable of the prodigal child. "Trust" is at the heart of our friendship with Christ and Mary wants us to live each day, each moment in confident ‘Trust’ that with God all will be well.

"Jesus, I trust in you."

Then Our Lady says, "You, open your hearts to the gifts which He desires to give you."  Is this our image of God?" God, the giver of good gifts.

Do we believe this image which Mary asks us to reflect on? "Give us this day our daily bread." we pray in the Lords prayer.

What exactly do we ask for when we come before our Heavenly Father?

What does God desire to pour into our lives?

Mary says we must open our hearts to these gifts, therefore we may be closing our hearts to them at times.  Through lack of peace, lack of forgiveness, lack of trust, prayer and love. 

How often do we seriously pray for the spiritual gifts God wants to give us? His riches! "For to anyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks finds, and the door will be opened. Would a Father give his son a stone when he asked for bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish?

How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy spirit to those who ask him." (Matthew: 7: 7-11.)

The Holy Spirit is the author of all the gifts Our Heavenly Father desires for us. May we open ourselves to him.

" May your hope be the joy of a meeting with the Most High in everyday life." At the heart of our Faith is an encounter with the living God, our Risen Jesus.  We do not have to go on pilgrimage or retreat for this to happen. Mary tells us that we meet God 'in the everyday life’ In the events, the routine the business and humdrum of daily living. The surprise of God’s grace, an awareness of his presence can overcome us at any time,

Peace and joy are the fruits of this meeting. Prayer, and love are the keys to this meeting, God is close, Mary is telling us, and we need to praise him in all circumstance. “Because prayer works miracles."

Mary always points us back to prayer. Something happens in prayer that does not happen in any other activity. The doors of our hearts open to our Heavenly Father.

How often did Jesus encourage his apostle to turn to prayer, to go into their private rooms and speak to God heart to heart. We must entrust all our prayers humbly to God, surrender them to his will, and open our eyes to the Miracles that still take place.

How often has Mary told us that Prayer, changes events and situations, can even suspend wars and natural laws. We must not lose hope in the power of Prayer, rather let us have a renewed sense of confidence in Prayer as we open our hearts to the Gifts of Our Heavenly Father.

God Bless, Fr. Martin