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

25th October 2017

 

Our Lady of Medjugorje“Dear children,  I am calling you to be prayer in this time of grace. You all have problems, afflictions, sufferings and lack of peace. May saints be models to you and an encouragement for holiness; God will be near you and you will be renewed in seeking through your personal conversion. Faith will be hope to you and joy will begin to reign in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call.

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Medjugorje North East and beyond,

Our Blessed Mother the Queen of Peace is with us.  Mary Mother of the Church, star of the new evangelisation is with us.  As we say in the prayer, ‘The Hail Holy Queen’, "Turn then most gracious advocate, thine eyes of Mercy towards us." 

The merciful eyes of Mary are upon us, Motherly eyes, eyes full of compassion and understanding, as this month’s message tells us.  "You all have problems, afflictions, suffering's and lack of peace."

Her maternal heart understands, and she shows us the answer. " I am calling you to be prayer in this time of Grace."  What does it mean to be prayer?" 

In this world, so exposed to evil, we may feel more our vulnerability, and thus also the need for Motherly love.  With her tender love, Mary accompanies and heals us, and protects us. 

Threatened by so many evil forces today this world needs the light and hope of forgiveness, the truth that sets us free. 

Prayerful people who in the face of insurmountable difficulties show by the light of Faith the direction to God. 

Prayerful people who have a great confidence in recourse to prayer are those who in seemingly hopeless situations, persevere and show us where all our answers are. to be prayer means to have confidence always in prayer, in every situation to believe that prayer makes the difference. Prayer like this makes a gift of ourselves where there is bitterness and unforgiveness. to become Prayer means to say with Mary, "Yes" your will be done, thy Kingdom come.  To become prayer means to reflect the light of faith and its fruit in our words and actions.

"May Saints be models for you and an encouragement to holiness."  Who inspires us today, who encourages us. At times witnesses can be lacking, Christian witness can be shadowed. But Mary reminds us what we say each time when we pray the Creed. " I believe in the Communion of Saints." 

Let us reflect on the true meaning of becoming Holy.  We must always remember that holiness begins in the human heart.  It needs to be a free heart that continues to become increasingly free of the spirit of the world, of the flesh, of the material.  In this freedom the heart can then continue to open itself to the Word of God and to his Spirit. 

The Saints are living witnesses to this openness, and to the Joy of Christian living.  They have become true and genuine people, living in the Spirit.  We know that they were flawed human beings, but who had a longing for God in their own weakness and imperfection.  they overcame these things by the Grace of God.  in the lives of the Saints, Prayer was certainly first, and through Prayer their love for God grew, and service to neighbour.  So, like them, let us make a true decision for holiness on a daily basis, we must decide against sin, and against the negative in us. 

Let us turn to the Saints for their Intercession, their help and encouragement, and with Fr. Slavko let us Pray,

 

Lord we thank you

for having given us Mary. 

Through her intercession and through the intercession of all Saints

In whose lives you were glorified,

we ask you to open our hearts

to your Word

so that we may allow ourselves to be taught.

May we allow Mary, your humble servant, to guide us on the way to perfection. 

Grant us your Spirit so that we may come to understand what it means to have Saints as an example. 

Grant us the strength in your Spirit to follow the Saints

and to reach you one day-together with all the Saints   and with Mary Queen of Saints.

Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

 

Fr. Martin