12/31/12

Dear Family of Mary





The nativity
I desire to receive each of you into my heart
and to give a gift of your lives to my Son
J.M.J.
January 1, 2013
Feast of the Mother of God!
 
Dear Family of Mary!


"Dear children, give the gift of your life to me and completely surrender to me so that I may help you to comprehend my motherly love and the love of my Son for you. My children, I love you immeasurably and today, in a special way, on the day of the birth of my Son, I desire to receive each of you into my heart and to give a gift of your lives to my Son. My children, Jesus loves you and gives you the grace to live in His mercy, but sin has overtaken many of your hearts and you live in darkness. Therefore, my children, do not wait, say `no' to sin and surrender your hearts to my Son, because only in this way will you be able to live God's mercy and, with Jesus in your hearts, set out on the way of salvation." (Message through Jakov Colo on December 25, 2012)
 
This beautiful message given through Jakov on Christmas Day, is the perfect message for us at the beginning of the New Year. Why? Because it is all about abandoning ourselves completely to God, through Our Lady. This is the incredible secret of St. Louis de Montfort. This is the childlike way of St. Therese of Lisieux. This is the joyful way of St. Maximilion Kolbe. Total trust, total giving over of our lives to Jesus, through Mary.
 
My friend, Susan, left a message on my answering machine yesterday, asking me to talk about abandonment of our lives to God. She thought it would help us enter the New Year! I agree. But I would like to quote someone who understands it much better than me, Caryll Houselander. Her words clear up a lot of confusion about abandonment to God:
 
It is of absolute necessity for our peace that we surrender ourselves wholly to God. Most people want to do this, but they do not because they are afraid. [Boy, is she right about that!]
 
If, in their rasher moments of fervor, they have made heroic self-offerings, they go about their business afterwards distinctly uneasy, fearful that some catastrophe will overtake them in order to detach them from the earthly affections which they suppose to be hindering their perfection.
 
If, to seek reassurance, they turn to those saints who are said to have sanctified themselves through leading "ordinary" lives, they are even more perturbed by the extraordinary way in which they did so.
 
To give one example, the very thought of the hourly, even momentary, little sacrifices made by St. Theresa of Lisieux opens up a terrifying prospect, all the more so because such lives are secret and without even the encouragement of friends. To think of oneself going on and on, denying self, giving up all the tidbits, refusing oneself the relief of a little complaining or a little flattery, spending one's life in small coin down to the last penny: this is beyond the power of human nature --- or at least of our human nature.
 
Both these anxieties can be put to rest by a little thought about God's approach to us, His way with human beings.
 
It is not a way of detachment but of attachment; not a way of indifference but of love. He approaches not by catastrophes, but by gentleness; not demanding our surrender but winning it, if we put no obstacle, almost before we realize who it is that sues for our love.
 
An obstacle would be a refusal of any love, a shutting of the door on those who want to come into our life. To put no obstacle is to have the door always open to everyone who has any need of us.
 
"Behold!" our Lord says, "I stand at the door and knock."(Rev. 3:20) An obstacle to surrendering to Him would simply be not to open the door. If we opened it and saw who it is that knocks, we should not find it a difficult or a frightening thing to give Him what He asks of us.
 
The Old Testament, which many imagine to be the revelation of a terrifying God, is full of the gentleness of His approach. He comes as a "still, small voice", He covers His face lest it should wither away the light of a man's eyes by its majesty. He is compared to the coming of morning light and to rain falling upon the thirsty earth: "We shall know and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and He will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth. (1 Kings 19:12)
 
Sometimes, indeed very often, His approach to us coincides with a catastrophe and is in the midst of it, and for that reason is hardly noticed. We are too intent on the din of the disaster to hear the "still, small voice," or we drown it with noisy tears. Disasters are not God's will; they are the result of sin and opposed to God's will; but in His mercy He does allow the suffering resulting from them, although never the sin that caused them, to be caught up into His love and do good. Thus Christ's first coming on earth was in the midst of the disaster of the world's suffering caused by sin, and it was precisely to take hold of this suffering and transform it by love that He came.
 
How small and gentle His coming was! He came as an infant. The night in which He came was noisy and crowded; it is unlikely that, in the traffic of the travelers to Bethlehem, the tiny wail of the newly born could be heard.
 
God approaches gently, often secretly, always in love, never through violence and fear. He comes to us, as He Himself has told us, in those who we know in our own lives. Very often we do not recognize Him. He comes in many people we do not like, in all who need what we can give, in all who have something to give us, and for our great comfort. He comes in those we love, in our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters, our friends and our children. Because this is so, we must not be content ever to love with only natural love. We must also love everyone with a supernatural, sacramental love. We must love Christ in them with Christ's love in us. It would be well if those seeking perfection ceased trying so painstakingly to learn how not to love and learned instead how to love well. (Caryll Houselander. "The Way of the Infant Jesus." Sophia Institute Press. 1995. P. 53-56)
 
As we enter 2013, let's let Caryll's words help us to look for the Infant Jesus, entering our lives so gently and sweetly, to capture our hearts, to command our love, to attach us to Himself. This is abandonment to Him. We don't lose anything, we receive everything. We receive our God, who attaches Himself to us as we attach ourselves to Him. It is a bond of love that develops as we choose Him at each moment. It is a love that will fill us to the full. This is surrender. It is surrender to love. And the key to that love, is recognizing our God, our Lord Jesus, as he waits for us in each person in our life. He exists in each person, waiting for our love, waiting to love us! This is abandonment to Jesus. This is surrender to Mary. It is the surrender to love!
 
Happy, blessed, joyful, glorious, and fruitful New Year to each of you!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2013   http://www.marytv.tv/MaryTV/

12/30/12

Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje through Mirjana: -- Mirjana suffering from back pain.


October 2, 2012 message from Our Lady of Medjugorje through Mirjana:
"Dear children: I am calling you and I am coming among you because I need you. I need apostles with a pure heart. I am praying, and you should also pray, that the Holy Spirit may enable and lead you, that He may illuminate you and fill you with love and humility. Pray that He may fill you with grace and mercy. Only then will you understand me, my children. Only then will you understand my pain because of those who have not come to know the love of God. Then you will be able to help me. You will be my light-bearers of God's love. You will illuminate the way for those who have been given eyes but do not want to see. I desire for all of my children to see my Son. I desire for all of my children to experience His Kingdom. Again I call you and implore you to pray for those whom my Son has called. Thank you."

12/29/12

Mary Reinforces Christmas Message

By Jakob Marschner

“In all these years when I am with you, my finger is directed towards the Child, because I want to lead you to Jesus” the Virgin Mary tells visionary Ivan Dragicevic, after surprise that the Child Jesus spoke on Christmas Day. A few hundred attended Ivan’s late night apparition on Podbrdo Hill.


medjugorje visionary seer veggente ivan dragicevic apparition apparizione december dec dicembre 28 2012 mary reinforces christmas message
People gathering on top of Apparition Hill before Ivan’s apparition at 10 pm on December 28. Photo: Marco Piagentini

Pointing back to the surprise on Christmas Day when the Child Jesus gave a message, the Virgin Mary both mentioned the Child and reinforced the theme of the two Christmas messages when she appeared to visionary Ivan Dragicevic late in the evening of December 28 on top of Apparition Hill in Medjugorje.

Afterwards, Ivan reported this message:

Overview of Medjugorje by night, from the path up apparition hill in the evening of December 28. Photo: Marco Piagentini
Overview of Medjugorje by night, from the path up Apparition Hill in the evening of December 28. Photo: Marco Piagentini

* “Dear children, also today I desire to call you to joy. Anew I call you to joy! I call you at the same time to responsibility. Dear children, accept my messages responsibly and live my messages, because in the living of my messages I desire to lead you to my Son. All of these years that I have been together with you my finger has been directed toward the Son, towards Jesus.  I have a desire to lead all of you to Him. Therefore these days that are upcoming, may your question also be – and I pose this question to you – ‘What can I do that my heart may be closer to Jesus?’ May this question lead you. Say to yourselves, ‘What must I leave behind? What must I reject that my heart may be closer to Jesus?’ Pray dear children, and I will pray for all of you that your answer in your hearts may be ‘Yes, I desire to be closer to Jesus!’ Thank you, dear children, for also today having responded to my call.”

Lasting about 10 minutes, Ivan’s apparition was attended by only a few hundred people. In the days after Christmas, Medjugorje has been almost void of pilgrims, and on Friday many among the attendees arrived on top of Apparition Hill in the last half hour before the apparition without causing any confusion.

Laura Marcazzan Budimir reported from Medjugorje
Source of Article    http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/

PRAYER--“Lord, I offer you my life. All my dreams, plans, hopes, and fears are yours. Give me the faith to follow you today, knowing that you will work all things together for my good.”

12/28/12

Father Livio Interview with Marija on Radio Maria



mariaposc icon
Maria Posch
J.M.J.

December 28, 2012

Feast of the Holy Innocents


Dear Family of Mary!


Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together. (December 25, 2012 Marija)


This wonderful message is capturing our attention. Many of us are really drawn to the words of Baby Jesus. We are all so happy to hear from Him!


In yesterday's reflection I asked if anyone could translate Marija's interview with Father Livio on Radio Maria about this message. Lindita very generously transcribed and translated the entire interview for us. (Thank you, Lindita, for your great work!). It is good to read what Marija had to say:


Padre. Livio: Hi Maria ,,

Maria: Hi P. Livio and Merry Christmas to all listeners of Radio Maria with all my heart.
Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said: "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.

P.Livio: Can you say it in Croatian.

Maria: Yes (and she spoke the message in Croatian)
P. Livio: May I ask you a few questions?
Maria: Yes.
P. Livio: Madonna has come always with her Baby in her arms and even with Jesus as He looked during His Passion, but this is the first time He spoke?
Maria: Yes, we are all surprised. It was a very strong emotion for me...after the apparition I started to cry. I am normally happy and this time I am even more so because it's something amazing, extraordinary! I was moved that He blessed us and spoke for the first time, absolutely!
P. Livio: Listen, Madonna always comes with the Newborn Baby (at Christmas).
Maria: Of course like every other year she arrived with Baby Jesus.
P. Livio: So Baby Jesus was newborn?
Maria: Yes, I recommended [petitions] to Madonna, like I normally do and at a certain point I was waiting for her to give the message. But the opposite occurred, she remained silent. Jesus addressed me as the King of Peace. He was a Child but these words were spoken with authority.

P. Livio: So you were shocked from this new fact
Maria: Yes, because it was the first time that Jesus spoke to me. Jesus never spoke in Medjugorje.
P.Livio: Even though He was a child with the voice of a child, He spoke with authority?

Maria: Yes, He spoke with great authority and a strong feeling in His voice that remains strong. I heard the voice of Baby Jesus not like a child that is a few days old or a few hours old, but Jesus, only newborn. Once before [in 1981] an extraordinary moment occurred when Baby Jesus winked at us, and this is the second time something extraordinary has occurred..
P. Livio: So He looked like the icons in which we see Baby Jesus but with great Authority.
Maria: Exactly
P. Livio: Maria, what do you think of this fact? As for me this is a new fact, but also beautiful and extremely positive.
Maria: I believe I never expected this event. I might have expected that Madonna would say:" I will not appear any longer," or something like that, but for 31 years she has appeared with Baby Jesus in her arms at Christmas and this is the first time He spoke.
P.Livio: But He spoke extraordinary words 'I am Your Peace.' Maria, you are not a theologian, but the theologians know very well that Jesus says in the Gospel: I am justified by the Divine Authority. I am the expression of great Authority. Those who study theology know that this expression indicates He is God: 'I am your peace, live my Commandments.' So a Baby who speaks with Divine Authority ... in this message we see the dimensions of the Divinity of Jesus, even in this Child, Newborn, His Divinity...and this is what strikes me more in this message.
Maria: It did strike my very strongly. I cried two or three times and this has touched me very much in my heart, and right now I am trying to comprehend what I saw.
P. Livio: These are things with great spiritual depth...and infinitely so great to us.
Maira: Today, since the moment of Apparition [usually] feels ordinary to me, I observed today it was extraordinary and I am so grateful in my heart.
P.Livio: The truth is that God always surprises us!
Maria: True!
P.Livio: Can we say a prayer?
Maria: Yes, with all my heart.
P.Livio and Maria said the Magnificat together, then Glory Be...
Then Padre Livio gave the Benediction: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Interview by Padre Livio with Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti given on December 25, 2012)



This interview is a great help in understanding what Marija experienced on December 25 during the apparition. I also have good news! Today, Marija will be interviewed by our Medjugorje Team at her home in Medjugorje. She will share about this apparition with us all! We will feature the interview on our home page as soon as we can get it up! Check our website during the day today!


Also, today Josip will be streaming the musical Christmas play produced by the Cenacolo Community! 10:00 am Eastern time in the US! Join us for this wonderful event! Because of this special program, the Daily Rosary will be pre-empted and we will probably pray it at a later time.


Let's really keep Baby Jesus' words in our hearts these days!


"I am your peace, live my commandments."


In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

12/27/12

Author Alberta Sequeira

 

A Journey through Alcohol Abuse

Where are you heading?

When the prophetic secrets of the Blessed Mother are revealed in Medjugorje, the Catholic Church will find itself in a great ordeal.


__________________________________________________


With the Mayan apocalypse "prediction" predictably failing (actually, it was an interpretation of the Mayan calendar cycles) comes relief -- not over the fact that fireballs didn't strike, but that such diversions stop diverting from what may be legitimate prophetic indications.

It is the devil's ruse: to use hype and falsity (along with hyper-skepticism) to dilute legitimate intuitions and even "words of knowledge" concerning the future, which -- Mayans or no Mayans -- portends to be remarkable.

It will also be challenging.

"When the prophetic secrets of the Blessed Mother are revealed in Medjugorje, the Catholic Church will find itself in a great ordeal, as much for the world as for the faithful, and a little of this suffering has already started," said Ivan Dragicevic, a seer from that alleged site, which the Vatican has studied and in coming months may make a statement about, perhaps granting it shrine status without validating or invalidating the apparitions (and prophecies) themselves.

In our discernment (which is just that: an opinion), and is based not on any single set of apparitions (but the general current of prophetic utterance), we believe the world does face huge events; actually, "huge, huge, huge" ones. (We'll use that as a means of trying to depict the extent of what we believe will be future change.)

In his statement, which was aired by Father Livio Fangaza of Radio Maria-Italy, Dragicevic mentioned that "a little" of what is in the secrets (at least, his secrets) already has begun, which fits with what we have observed during the past couple of decades: that regional events (various storms, weather swerves, quakes, societal upsets, tsunamis, and other events) are part of a build-up -- and preview -- of what in the next few years and decades will come.

Look at how hurricanes built up to "Katrina." Look at how "northeasters" (starting perhaps around the time of the "perfect storm" in the early 1990s) built up to "Sandy." Look at how little economic tremors built to the financial crisis of 2008. Look at how hurricanes and quakes have at times taken place within days of each other. Look at how little rampages have graduated into large ones.

One thing builds into something larger and that builds into something larger still. It is (again our discernment) the gradual nature of transformation. It is also God's patience and Mercy (the way He evolves matters).

If we face a "huge" event or series of events, such adjectives are a means of perspective. Perhaps one might say that events such as "Sandy" and "Sandy Hook" could be categorized as "large"; events like September 11 and "Katrina" and Fukushima as "very large"; and that we have not yet encountered something truly "huge."

Perhaps this gives us a way of beginning to get our minds around coming situations that may be bigger than just one "huge." Something truly huge would perhaps be destruction of a portion of a major country.

We have not seen anything like that as yet, although the Asian tsunami on Christmas night eight years ago came close (call that also "very large"). Ivan said we have experienced "a little" of what will occur. He says he has been given nine secrets by the Blessed Mother. Several visionaries there have been granted ten. They do not know what is in each other's secrets. Most recently, another visionary said that for the first time in thirty-one years, the Infant Jesus spoke a public message there. (What does that portend?) When Ivan said we have already seen a little, one then wonders -- if it has to do with the Church -- what more may be coming as far as scandals, falling away of the faithful, or (most likely) persecution. If "little" refers to recent events in the world, it gets back to the size analogies: Few are those who stop to consider how big things could be.

But end of the world?

No. We don't and never did believe that. As we often have said: transformation. Simplification. Purification.

When we look around at what man has created, and how far we have strayed from what God created (not to mention His standards of good morals), we see how huge the events by definition must be.

12/26/12

Dear Family of Mary





Our Lady and Baby Jesus

Panagia Icon
Jesus and Mary bless us together!
J.M.J.
December 27, 2012
St. John
Dear Family of Mary!
 
Here is the message given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti on December 25, 2012:
 
Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.
 
We are all a little surprised at the outcome of Marija's Christmas encounter with Our Lady. We were expecting a message from Our Lady. We have gotten pretty comfortable with these regular monthly messages. We expect them and they come! But this Christmas it was different. Our Lady did not speak directly to us through Marija. All of a sudden our comfortable monthly message habit was changed! No words from Our Lady!
 
But instead, the Word spoke to us through Marija! The Word of God, Himself, gave us a simple yet powerful message. "I am your peace, live my commandments." These seven words could guide us for a lifetime, as indeed they have guided the saints throughout history.
 
There have been a lot of opinions about this occurrence expressed via the web! But for me the most important opinion is Marija's! Fortunately, she spoke with Fr. Livio of Radio Maria about this Christmas message and he asked her what it all meant to her. (You can hear this interview at http://messaggimedjugorje.blogspot.com/2012/12/video-marija-pavlovic-comunica-il.html in Italian.)
 
Denis asked a friend to listen to the interview and summarize it in English for us. Here is her excellent summary:
 
Marija notes several times that the BVM did not give a message. In response to Fr. Liveo's question, she affirms that even though our Lady has appeared with Jesus in her arms every Christmas, he as never before spoken. Marija says this is the first apparition in which the baby Jesus spoke and that she was very surprised. In fact, she makes this point several times in the interview... it is the first time Jesus ever spoke to Marija; it is the first time Jesus spoke in Medjugorje; it is something Marija never expected would happen. Marija said that while she has cried two or three times before after an apparition, she cried even more this time because of the joy in her heart; she was deeply moved.


Fr Liveo notes that a newborn cannot speak and asks about Jesus' voice. Marija says that he spoke in a child's voice but with great authority. Fr. Liveo says: "So, he spoke as a little child but with royal authority?" Marija says that is exactly right.


There is nothing in anything Marija says that would give the impression that this event is something that should cause alarm. On the contrary, while she agrees with Fr. Liveo that this was a shock (his word, not hers), she presents this as something about which she is rejoicing.
I hope this helps!
 
Yes it does help! I had the same kind of joy and amazement in my heart when I read the account of Marija's apparition given out by the parish. It is wonderful that Jesus spoke to us all! Wonderful and powerful. He has given us in just a few words, the central message of Medjugorje. He is our peace and His commandments are the way to His peace. Simple and powerful!
 
Maybe the Saint of today, St. John, the Beloved, will help us to respond to Baby Jesus' words to us. Saint John was so close to Jesus, so intimate with Him! He can teach us how to draw close to Jesus, to live His commandments, and to embrace Him as our peace. We can learn to lay our heads on His breast, to rest in Him.
 
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2012       http://www.marytv.tv/MaryTV/
 
PS. If there is someone who is able to translate and transcribe this interview of Marija by Fr. Livio, and share it with me, I would be so grateful. I would love to know exactly what Marija said!

Baby Jesus Spoke With Authority

By Jakob Marschner

Hearing the Infant Jesus give Christmas message instead of Mary was a great surprise to visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti. Afterwards she cried a lot, but also felt a great gratitude. “He spoke with great authority” and “I am trying to understand what I saw” Marija tells in radio interview.

OurLady
“Jesus addressed me as the King of Peace. It was a child but these words were spoken with authority. With a voice that remained strong within me” Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti tells of her surprising Christmas Day encounter with the Infant Jesus

Authority exuded from the Child Jesus when Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti heard the Child give her a message on December 25, instead of His Mother. His voice remained strong within Marija when she composed herself in tears after the apparition was over.

The experience was completely unexpected for Marija who says she has seen the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms every Christmas Day for 31 years, but never heard Jesus speak before. When she talked to Radio Maria soon after the apparition, she still struggled to understand what she had seen.

“Today is really a special day because Our Lady gave no message. I describe it like this” Marija opened the radio interview.

medjugorje-visionary-seer-veggente-marija-pavlovic-lunetti-desio-italy-italia-october-ottobre-14-2012
Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti in October. Photo: Daniel Miot, guardacon.me

“The Madonna came with the Child Jesus in her arms. She gave no message. But the Child Jesus began to speak and said, “I am your peace, live My Commandments.” The Madonna and Baby Jesus blessed us together with the Sign of the Cross.”

“Jesus addressed me as the King of Peace. It was a child but these words were spoken with authority. With a voice that remained strong within me. I heard the voice of Jesus as a child. It was not the voice of a child of a few hours. I do not know how to say this. A Jesus who is small, newborn, who addresses us” Marija said.

father fr padre livio fanzaga radio maria director
Marija’s conversation partner, Radio Maria director Fr. Livio Fanzaga

“I was very strongly affected, Father Livio. I cried a lot. I did so another two or three times before, but this time greatly moved me. I am trying to understand what I saw.”

“We were all surprised. He caused a strong emotion. After the apparition I started to cry, I am usually happy. Also this time I am still happier. It is an extraordinary thing. It moves me that Jesus has blessed us and spoken words for the first time. Because it is the first time Jesus spoke to me” Marija told Radio Maria.

750121_maria2“I would not expect anything like this. I could expect Our Lady would tell me she would not appear to me anymore or something else, I do not know. For 31 years Our Lady has appeared every year on Christmas Day with Jesus in her arms. But this was the first time Jesus spoke.”

“By the time it seemed to me that the apparition was something usual, ordinary, but something extraordinary also happened today. In my heart I feel a great gratitude” the visionary said.

The experience had Marija recount the first Christmas when she was having apparitions. In 1981, the Infant Jesus made a gesture, but spoke no words to the seers:

“The only other time that something extraordinary happened (like this) was when the Child Jesus blinked. And now the second time when He spoke” Marija said.

Gabriel Paulino transcribed and translated from Italian
Source of Article  http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/

Stephen Was Filled with the Holy Spirit


Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Saint Stephen, The First Martyr
 
“Stephen, filled with the Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God.” (Acts 7:55)
 
What would you have done if you were in Stephen’s shoes? Run away? Cower in the corner? Change your story altogether to placate your accusers? Stephen didn’t do any of these. Instead, he continued speak­ing with boldness and courage. He even embraced his death with calm and confidence. What was his secret?
Actually, Stephen’s secret is not such a secret at all. The Holy Spirit showed him what to say and do, just as Jesus promised he would (Matthew 10:19-20). Because he was “filled with grace and power,” Stephen could speak with great clar­ity and not flinch in the face of death.
 
Stephen is portrayed as such a heroic man that many of us may be tempted to disqualify ourselves. Honestly, who feels “filled with grace and power” as we go about our daily lives?
That’s the whole point. Stephen didn’t become a courageous mar­tyr overnight. He spent a lot of his time at work waiting on tables! But that didn’t stop him from devel­oping a relationship with the Holy Spirit. By inviting the Spirit to help him tackle the smaller challenges of daily life, Stephen grew stronger and more confident. He became better equipped to handle the major crises when they came.
 
The same is true for us. Few, if any, of us will face a mob intent on killing us, but we all have our fair share of challenges. And today, the day after Christmas, Jesus wants us to remember that he is Emmanuel, God-with-us. If we can learn to stay close to him through the day’s ups and downs, we’ll be ready to han­dle unexpected sickness, job loss, or whatever other problems may come our way.
 
Today, take just a few moments to think about an area of your life that causes you stress. Tell the Lord that you can’t face it on your own, and ask him to give you what you need to move forward. You may feel his peace right away, or it might come later in the day, but it will come. Keep asking the Lord for more of his Spirit, and he will guide you through every challenge.
 
“Lord, I can’t walk through this challenge by myself. Fill me with your Spirit of wisdom and grace. Let me know your peace.”
 Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17; Matthew 10:17-22
The Word Among Us

Commentators: Message Is A Major Sign

By Jakob Marschner

The Christ Child speaking instead of Mary on Christmas Day signifies major changes around the apparitions, and may even herald the end of the Virgin Mary’s messages, commentators agree. The Christ Child’s message echoes Jesus’ farewell discourse to the disciples in Gospel of John 13-14.

medjugorje message december 25 2012 christ child baby jesus speaks speaking marija pavlovic lunetti visionary seer apparition
The scene that Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti saw on Christmas Day, the Christ Child standing up on the Virgin Mary’s lap – depicted by Vladimir Borovikovsky in “A Vision of the Mother of God with the Christ Child among the Angels” (1823)

Experienced Medjugorje commentators agree that the unprecedented event on Christmas Day, the Christ Child speaking instead of the Virgin Mary, is a big and most significant development, a harbinger of major changes being underway.

“My personal feeling is that this change heralds the approach of the end of Our Lady’s messages as we have been used to all these years. We may be about to enter a new phase of the Medjugorje phenomenon” a longtime follower of Medjugorje with the pen name “bluecross” comments on Medjugorje Live. His real name is known by Medjugorje Today.

medjugorje christmas message 2012 december 25 echo mirrors farewell discourse jesus gospel john
The Christ Child’s words in the Christmas message from Medjugorje echoes Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples in John 13-14, depicted here in Duccio di Buoninsegna’s work “Maesta” (1308-11)

Over the years, a bluecross specialty has been locating the Bible passages that the Virgin Mary paraphrases in her Medjugorje messages. On Christmas Day, he soon tied the Christ Child’s surprising Medjugorje message “I am your peace, live My Commandments” to Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples in John 13-14:

“Jesus speaking in this way echoes His farewell discourse in John’s Gospel when he says: “Peace I bequeath to you, My own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is My gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14 : 27) Elsewhere in the discourse He says: “If you love Me, you will keep my Commandments” (John 14:15)” bluecross noted.

medjugorje visionary seer veggente marija pavlovic lunetti dicembre december 2 2012 varese italy italia
Visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti on December 2 in Varese, Italy. Photo: Daniel Miot, guardacon.me

“The start of the discourse begins: “My little children, I shall not be with you much longer” (John 13 :33). In fact, the whole of the discourse can be viewed as a summary of all that Our Lady has been teaching us these past 31 years. (John 13 : 33-38, and chapters 14 to 17) bluecross added.

“Soon we expect an announcement from the Vatican on the Medjugorje phenomenon and I think this plus today’s major surprise will not be unconnected. That is just speculation on my part, but the surprise today’s message brings will make many ponder the reason why.”

wayne weible medjugorje author books
Wayne Weible

Wayne Weible, the most popular author of books on Medjugorje since the 1980s, also ascribes great meaning to the unexpected way the Christmas message was given.

“I agree that it is a clear sign that Medjugorje’s first part is near completion. As to the meaning, yes, time is short. We have been given an extraordinary grace of nearly 32 years of direct teachings from Heaven. Jesus is definitely appealing directly to those of us who have accepted His grace, to pray with great intensity for those who have not yet discovered the love of God” Wayne Weible tells Medjugorje Today.
Source of article   http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/
Attend an apparition. Go on pilgrimage with Medjugorje Today


http://is.gd/a6bGOT

12/25/12

Our Lady's Medjugorje Christmas message, Jesus Speaks and Our Lady Remains Silent

December 25, 2012

Apparition Today to Marija... Our Lady did not give a message... it was the Infant Jesus who gave the message.

*Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.

ANNUAL APPARITION TO JAKOV ON DECEMBER 25TH 2012

date: 25.12.2012.
At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. The apparition began at 2:15 pm and lasted 10 minutes. Afterwards Jakov transmitted the message:

Dear children, give the gift of your life to me and completely surrender to me so that I may help you to comprehend my motherly love and the love of my Son for you. My children, I love you immeasurably and today, in a special way, on the day of the birth of my Son, I desire to receive each of you into my heart and to give a gift of your lives to my Son. My children, Jesus loves you and gives you the grace to live in His mercy, but sin has overtaken many of your hearts and you live in darkness. Therefore, my children, do not wait, say ‘no’ to sin and surrender your hearts to my Son, because only in this way will you be able to live God’s mercy and, with Jesus in your hearts, set out on the way of salvation.
Medjugorje Official

I Have Come To Tell You That God Exist

"I have come to tell you that God exists ... God sends me to you out of love that I may help you to comprehend that without Him there is no future or joy, and above all, there is no eternal salvation ... through prayer you may become friends of Jesus ... Without love you can not pray. That is why I am calling you to love God, the Creator of your lives, above everything else ... Dear children! Pray, Pray, Pray!"


12/24/12

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Madonna of the Magnificat - Sandro Botticelli

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

12/23/12






Archives:

MANY SOULS SAID TO BE RELEASED ON CHRISTMAS FROM TORMENTS OF PURGATORY

Aside from gift-giving and spending time with family and remembering the birth of Jesus, Christmas should be a day to pray for the deceased. It's on Christmas -- according to two highly reliable revelations -- that most souls are released into heaven and thus are in need of final prayers.

One revelation was in 1879 to a holy nun in a French convent. Identified as Sister M. de L.C., she received revelations from a deceased nun who authorities identified only as Sister O -- and who at the time was herself suffering the torments of purgatory. The revelation was granted an imprimatur from the Cardinal of Baltimore, Maryland, and was approved by noted theologians such as Canon Dubosq, promotor fidei of Saint Therese the Little Flower. The transcripts of what she said may be the most valuable we've seen on purgatory.

"On All Souls' Day many souls leave the place of expiation and go to heaven," said the deceased nun. " Also, by a special grace of God on that day only, all the suffering souls, without exception, have a share in the public prayers of the Church, even those who are in the great Purgatory. Still the relief of each soul is in proportion to its merits. Some receive more, some less, but all feel the benefit of this extraordinary grace. Many of the suffering souls receive this one help only in all the long years they pass here and this by the justice of God. It is not, however, on All Souls' Day that the most go to Heaven. It is on Christmas night."

This message was confirmed in dramatic style more than a hundred years later -- in 1983 -- when a seer at Medjugorje reported nearly the same message, and with virtually no chance of having been privy to the obscure French revelation (which had not been published). Said the Virgin at Medjugorje on January 10 of that year: "In Purgatory there are different levels. The lowest is close to Hell and the highest gradually draws near to Heaven.

It is not on All Souls' Day, but at Christmas, that the greatest number of souls leave Purgatory."

At Medjugorje it has been said that the Virgin appears in great golden splendor on special days like Christmas, and the French nun likewise said Our Blessed Mother goes to Purgatory on her great feast days. She takes souls that are ready -- and all they may need is one final Mass, or even a final prayer. Those on the "threshold" can gain Heaven that day with our help, while those in deeper parts of Purgatory will be relieved of suffering.

"There are many souls in Purgatory," said the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje. "There are also persons who have been consecrated to God -- some priests, some religious. Pray for their intentions, at least the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be seven times each, and the Creed. I recommend it to you. There are a large number of souls who have been in Purgatory for a long time because no one prays for them."

This puts an entirely new perspective on Christmas. It's a time of great joy not only on earth but in the eternal and a day that our own joy must be joined with concern for those who have gone before us -- who may be "graduating" that day.

Pray for them. Pray for everyone you have ever known who is deceased. Pray for every purgatorial soul on Christmas. If they don't need the prayers, the Lord can designate them to souls who do.

And one day -- perhaps on Christmas night -- they'll be there to help you.

[Sister O's revelations are in a booklet called "An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory," available here]

[Footnote: account from Maronite website:

Pat Murnahan was coming back from a business trip to New York during the month of November, 1996. He felt his presentations had gone very well and he felt relaxed as he sank back into his seat ready for the flight to London and then on to Dublin. He had chosen a window seat so that he could sleep and not be disturbed by people coming and going. As more passengers entered the plane and it began to fill up, he could hear the hum of continuous conversation up and down the aisles, mixed with the sound of bags being stowed in the overhead lockers.

After ten minutes Pat was beginning to snooze and the rhythmic sound finally lulled him to sleep. But just minutes after he fell asleep he found himself sitting up fully awake. He heard nothing and wondered what had woken him, then he realized there was complete silence in the plane.

He sat fully upright wondering what had caused the silence, he felt a slight tinge of terror, the first thing coming to mind was that terrorists were taking over the plane.

Pat turned hi s head to see what was happening and his mouth dropped open when he recognized the slight bent figure and smiling face that had caused the complete silence as she moved quietly up the aisle; it was Mother Teresa of Calcutta, with another slight bent figure in similar dress following behind her.

Both nuns were dressed in simple white habits edged in blue. The familiar face, the wrinkled skin and the warm smiling eyes were instantly recognizable by everyone, from the youngest back packers to the eldest on board. The plane was full of American tourists who had never been so close to this world renowned figure before in their lives. An image they had seen on hundreds of television newscasts and on the covers of Time Magazine, on more than one occasion.

The two nuns stopped and Pat realized with a start, that the designated seats of this most extraordinary person and her companion were the seats beside him and he felt strangely unworthy as Mother Teresa herself was the one beside him. As the last few passengers settled in and the flight prepared to take off, Mother Teresa and her companions took out their Rosary beads. He noticed as they unfolded the beads that each decade was a different color.

They both closed their eyes as they immersed themselves in prayer and Pat stole a closer look at the unusual Rosary beads. He noticed that the decades at the beginning were totally black but as the beads went on they got lighter until, at the end of the rosary, they were completely white.

After about three Rosaries Mother Teresa and her companion put away the beads and she took out a little red prayer book. But before she opened the book she turned to Pat and asked him where was going. When he told her Ireland and then having replied to her next question to confirm the ‘yes, he was Irish,’ he raised himself up in his seat more, no longer eager to sleep as he suddenly felt elated and privileged to be taking part in a conversation with probably not only the most famous person on the planet but also probably the holiest. He was not ready for her next comment which showed that her knowledge of the Irish was from another era.

She said, “Well, you being Irish you must of course be Catholic and very prayerful.”

Pat felt embarrassed and didn’t respond. Then he felt even more embarrassed, if that was possible, as she put away her little red book and took out her Rosary again, saying “As you are Irish we will say another rosary for you and the wonderful country you come from.” Pat knew if he could see himself then in a mirror his face would have turned a very crimson red.

She told him, “Is there anyone in particular you wish to keep in prayer?” Pat thought for a minute and he suddenly thought of his elderly grandmother who was bedridden and just clinging to life. He knew she would really be taken with the thought of Mother Teresa praying specially for her, so he mentioned his grandmother’s name to Mother Teresa.

As she took out the Rosary he ventured to ask about the differing colors of the beads. She explained they were called Holy Souls Beads and the changing colors signify coming from darkness into light. We know as we pray a Rosary for the holy souls, Jesus brings many of them out of darkness into the light. Mother Teresa asked Pat to take out his Rosary and they would begin.

Pat fumbled around in his pockets feeling extremely embarrassed as this saint in waiting expected hi to take out a Rosary, which she undoubtedly thought every Irish person carried around with them. After a short interval Mother Teresa handed him her Rosary, which he was relieved about as he did not want to tell even half lie to this saint, as he was about to, saying, “I don’t seem to have one on me,” somehow implying that he normally did.

She produced another one for herself and he was also glad that they said all the prayers very quietly, so his mumbling was accepted as discreet prayer in unison with them. He did, however, notice their petitions in between decades were for the souls in purgatory and did not include the name of his grandmother.

Afterwards, he asked the Reverend Mother why his grandmother’s name wasn’t mentioned in the petitions. Her answer surprised him.

“When you pray for the souls in purgatory God will be so pleased with your unselfish prayers for those you don’t even know, that he will grant you your dearest wish, without even asking and sometimes maybe without you even knowing what your dearest wish is.”

Though Pat considered himself not very religious, knowing when he did go to church he went mostly just out of habit with his family and hardly ever prayed outside a church, he found these prayers extremely uplifting and he was in explicably happy afterwards, as he returned the Rosary to Mother Teresa.

As she smiled again at him Pat understood for the first time in his life what people meant when they spoke of a person possessing an ‘aura’ and, as his eyes connected with hers, a sense of peace overwhelmed him; he felt like when he was a little boy sitting by the river, with a warm summer breeze blowing through his hair, completely at peace with the world.

As they landed at Heathrow and alighted from the plane Mother Teresa was just ahead of him. She turned back to him and asked, “Do you say the Rosary often?” “No, not really,” he admitted. She took his hand, looked straight at him with her extraordinary gentle loving eyes and said, “Well, you will now,” and she pressed her Rosary into his hands.

Two hours later Pat entered the waiting area at Dublin airport where he was met by his wife, Alice. “What in the world?” she asked, when she noticed a Rosary inhis hand. They kissed and Pat explained the Rosary and described his encounter with Mother Teresa in the plane as being like a visit to heaven. Driving home he said, “I really feel as if I have met a living Saint.”

The next day he heard his grandmother was up out of bed and seemed to have found a whole new lease of life.

Six months later Pat and Alice visited a close friend of theirs who they had just heard had cancer, with a short time left to live. The friend told them that many prayers had been offered for her. Then, after reaching into his pocket and taking out the special beads, Pat gently entwined Mother Teresa’s Rosary around the friend’s fingers. He told her the story and said, “Pray for the Holy Souls, it may help you.” Although the friend wasn’t Catholic, her hand closed willingly around the black and white beads.

Between one thing and another, Pat did not meet the friend again for a month. This time her face was simply glowing, she hurried toward him and handed him the Rosary.

“I have carried it with me ever since and prayed for the Holy Souls whenever I got the change,” she said, and you won’t be surprised to hear that just this week I had another check up, the doctors could find nothing, the tumor was gone. Pat, I am completely healed!”

Pat Murnahan vowed that day to get some more of these special Rosary beads, he knew they were not special in themselves but special in what they inspired people to do. To help Jesus bring souls into the Kingdom would be reciprocated by that person receiving great graces from God.

With this particular friend of Pat’s not only did it bring physical healing to her but spiritual healing as well, for two years later she joined the Catholic Church.

Pat now promotes this Rosary telling people it can save lives and souls.





12/22/12

Our Lady's Christmas message of December 25, 2007

"Dear children! With great joy I bring you the King of Peace for Him to bless you with His blessing. Adore Him and give time to the Creator for whom your heart yearns. Do not forget that you are passers-by on this earth and that things can give you small joys, while through my Son, eternal life is given to you. That is why I am with you, to lead you towards what your heart yearns for. Thank you for having responded to my call." (December 25, 2007)

Sharing The Following


Sharing the following which was received in an email. Dear Catholic Vote Friends,
Imagine being a Catholic priest in Newtown, CT. Fr. Luke Suarez and Msgr. Robert Weiss serve at St. Rose of Lima parish in the heart of the shattered New England town. CV blogger Tom Crowe personally knows Fr. Luke as he was in seminary with him for a year. Tom also knows Fr. Luke’s sister, who penned the note below. We send it along and hope you will be moved to act on her suggestion. – Your Friends at CatholicVote.org.


*My friends, All of you, I am sure, have heard so much about the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Many of you have received emails from me about my younger brother, Father Luke Suarez, who is a priest at http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2012/12/20/prayer-request-opportunity-to-help-newton-ct-priests-faithful/frlukeSt. Rose of Lima parish, a Catholic church just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. He, and his pastor, Monsignor Weiss, arrived at the school within moments of the shooting, and have been caring for the community ever since. The picture I have included was taken at the school.


Father Luke has an impossible task before him. His diocese is without a bishop right now…. Monsignor … is personally devastated by the losses. The parish is very large…. The rectory has received serious threats, and as my brother gave the homily Sunday at the noon mass, the church had to be evacuated by SWAT teams. After experiencing identity theft and online hacking incidents, he had to erase all of his internet accounts. After a weekend of endless media requests, notifications and vigils with heartbroken families, and little sleep, he now has two wakes and two funerals every day, until the fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Luke has not even been ordained two years.
My large family has been trying to send Father Luke our love and support from afar, and one of my brothers was able to visit with him briefly a couple times. All he asks for is prayer.


I have been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way that our beautiful, loving community could tangibly reach out to Father Luke, Monsignor Weiss, and the St. Rose parish, to support them in this most awful of times. I have sent many prayer requests, and I am asking for more prayers again. But I also want to ask everyone to search their hearts, and if the Holy Spirit moves you, please consider sending one of your family’s Christmas cards to the rectory, with a few words of love and encouragement.
Here is his address:
Father Luke Suarez46 Church Hill RoadNewtown, CT 06470

My brother has said over and over again that without the prayer support he is receiving, he could not keep going. And this week is only the beginning. Everyone there is still in shock. Their peaceful home has been desecrated by violence. They will need to live with this sorrow forever.
But in our weakness is His strength. Grace abounds. Can you help me carry him through this time of trial?


On a hopeful note, Father Luke did say that no media coverage has even touched the deep, beautiful awakening of faith that has occurred there. Their tiny church, where my children have received sacraments and where Luke was ordained, has been full of people in prayer without ceasing since this tragedy happened. Love is stronger than death.


Please feel free to share the address with your family, friends, and community. An outpouring of love will sustain these good priests through their impossible ministry–impossible on their own, but possible with God.
I am so grateful to live in this community. We are all so blessed with one another. Every day, I see you all loving one another as Christ loved. Thank you for letting me reach out to you now.
With humble appreciation.

12/21/12

Receive The Gifts of the Holy Spirit


“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts”
 St. Paul, 1 cor. 14.1
Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, supernatural FaithWorking of Miracles, Healing
Discernment of Spirits

12/20/12

Today's Meditation

 

 

Isaiah 7:10-14
3rd Week of Advent

 
“Ahaz answered, ‘I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!’” (Isaiah 7:12)
 
Like King Ahaz, we too may resist the idea of asking God for a sign. God has already made things so clear in his word that asking for a further sign seems to show a lack of trust. Or maybe we don’t believe God is interested in the details of our daily life or that he cares enough to manifest himself to us in a personal way.
 
Still, a sign from God can be exactly what we need to move us along the path to deeper spiritual maturity. Near the beginning of that path, God delights in answering what has come to be known as The Seeker’s Prayer: “God, if you’re real, I want to know you. Show your­self to me in a way I can recognize.” This is a good way to pray for our loved ones who do not presently acknowledge God.
 
Those who have already com­mitted ourselves to the Lord often hesitate when there’s a fork in the road. We can easily decide between a clear good and a blatant evil. Obviously I should count to ten instead of exploding at my defiant teenager! But more often, two good alternatives are placed before us.
 
God trusts us to make a good deci­sion and promises to walk with us along either branch of the path. But before we decide, we long to know what he thinks is truly best for us. In a situation like this, it may also be appropriate to ask God for a sign.
That sign may take many forms. Sometimes it is a spoken word that resonates in our heart. Sometimes it’s something in nature, like a rose blooming out of season. Or we can open Scripture, and ask the Spirit to lead us to a particular passage. A person considering a job transfer may find Genesis 12, God calling Abraham to leave his homeland, or St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:26, “Remain as he is.”
 
God doesn’t work like a magi­cian. When you sense him leading you in a particular direction, test the word in several ways. Make sure it is consistent with Scripture and our Catholic tradition. Seek the advice of trusted mentors. Wait until you are at peace that this is God’s word to you. Then move for­ward with confidence, and let God go to work!
“Father, I delight in doing your will. Make your way clear before me.”
 Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 1:26-38