Fr. Martin’s
reflection on - Our Lady’s Message
25th
September 2020
Dear Brother's and Sisters of Medjugorje North East and
beyond,
Our Lady
begins this month's message by reminding us of the length of time she has been
with us. " I am with you for so long."
The coming of
the Queen of Peace since 24th June 1981 has been a gift to the whole
Church and the world. For it is out of the sheer free, Gratuitous Love of
our Heavenly Father that Our Lady comes to us with the Gospel message of
conversion.
We often hear
objections to the length of time concerning the apparitions. Some say, “Why
so long?" or " What's the point of the repetitive nature
of the apparitions?"
Well here Our
Lady shows us. "I am with you so long because God is great in
his love, and in my presence."
The
apparitions have continued because of God’s Love, and His Love in Mary.
The one who is full of Grace.
So, with Our
Lady's coming we see something of the generous outpouring of the Father's Love
and mercy through Her, for the whole Church and for the whole of
humanity. For no other reason but because of God's love!
In the coming
of Mary, we each see our true dignity as son's and daughter's of God. The Father is calling us!
"I am
calling you, little children: return to God and to prayer”
To a great
extent humanity has lost its way, and is wandering in
an aimless drift. The result is much disorientation and confusion in
people's lives, and so the result can be to despair, to live without any hope
or direction.
Mary shows us
the route map, how to exit the situation of drift. Her call is for
us all to return to the Heavenly Father, through prayer, like the prodigal son,
" and he came to his senses." (Luke. 15: 17)
From the
outset of the apparitions Our Lady has shown us how to exit the Crisis of Faith
in the Church and the world today. i.e. Prayer of the Heart is Prayer
filled with Faith and Love. The type of prayer that leads to the
encounter with Her risen Son Jesus. So, in the School of Our Lady we
discover where all our solutions are to be found.
" May
the measure of your way of living be love." God is
Love, St. John the apostle tells us. The very source of our Faith is in
the Love of God, made visible in Christ Jesus.
When we are
in contact with God we are in contact with Divine Love. So, this same
love builds on our lives, and changes our situation. We can measure our
lives by all sorts of means, i.e. success, career, family, achievements,
how much money we have etc. Whilst these things can be good, they should
never become the soul measure of our lives. The measure of our lives is
Love. The source is Gods Love, when His love
flows into our daily living, we then know the real value of everything-the real
quality and depth of living.
" My
vocation is Love." said St. Teresa.
" And do
not forget little children that prayer and fasting work miracles in you and
around you." From the very beginning of Our Lady's coming
she has placed Prayer and Fasting together. On one occasion she told us
that Prayer and fasting could even suspend laws of nature, wars
and famine. Prayer and fasting are powerful because together they purify
the inner spirit of man and give us clear vision to see the things of
God. They prepare us for the coming of the Holy Spirit into our personal
situation. Our Lady asks us not to forget this, then we shall
miracles. If we are not seeing the miracles around us and within, maybe
it is because our Faith has grown weak!
" May
everything you do be for the glory of God." In all
our actions we can choose to make it an offering to Our Heavenly Father for His
Glory. It can be something as simple as our daily chores, some penance,
some Cross we may be carrying. The point is to see nothing in our lives
as worthless but having transforming power. St. Teresa called this her “Little
Way." The smallest action offered with Love to God can fill
our hearts with his life.
The little
children of Fatima said this with the offering of little sacrifices. Do
we want to experience Heaven on earth? Then may everything we do be for
the Glory and Honour of God.
Our Lady
concludes by reminding us why she is being sent in these times. "
To save you and the earth on which you live."
It is for our
Salvation that Mary is with us for so long .
There is a connection between how we live our lives and the stability of the
very earth on which we live.
Without Faith
and our right relationship with God and neighbour, the sinful consequences of
man's actions reverberate on earth. " Thy will be done on earth
as it is in Heaven."
Our Lady does
not say "The world." But " The Earth."
Natural
catastrophes can be the result of man's disorientation without God.
We begin the
Creed with, "God the Father Almighty creator of Heaven and earth"
For it is only in Him and with Him that we can live in earthly Peace and
Harmony.
God Bless, Fr. Martin