"Call to Love" (continuing Chap 6) #1

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Chapter 6 in Sr. Lucia’s book, “Calls” from the Message of Fatima has so many good parts, I wanted to add a few more quotes; here’s #1:

…In the midst of the storms of life, it can sometimes seem to us – as it seemed to the Apostles-- that everything is a nightmare, making us afraid. But if we know how to raise our eyes to Christ, we shall have the happiness of hearing the harmonious sound of His Voice deep within our heart re-assuring us: “It is I; have no fear”…

How true it is that we can fail to remember: God is never “unaware” of our needs! When He permits something, perhaps unexpected or mysterious to us, we need to summon our Faith, and our Hope in Him. His Word through St. Paul’s letter to the Romans helps me: “God works ALL things unto good…” (cf Rom 8:28)

 

[patricius79]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Chapter 6 in Sr. Lucia’s book, “Calls” from the Message of Fatima has so many good parts, I wanted to add a few more quotes; here’s #1:

How true it is that we can fail to remember: God is never “unaware” of our needs! When He permits something, perhaps unexpected or mysterious to us, we need to summon our Faith, and our Hope in Him. His Word through St. Paul’s letter to the Romans helps me: “God works ALL things unto good…” (cf Rom 8:28)

Thank you, my sister. That helps me today.

It’s funny: every time I go through a period of anxiety or other problem, it seems like it’s so huge a problem, and then, of course a day or a few days later everything is fine again.

Then I tell myself to remember this for the next time, because then I’ll know I’m not seeing the issue clearly.

But when the knew challenge comes, I have to intentionally put all my trust in Jesus through Mary, because–once again–the problem seems so overwhelming.

How weak I am! And how much Jesus and Mary love us!

 

[MariaChristi]

Thank you, my sister. That helps me today.

It’s funny: every time I go through a period of anxiety or other problem, it seems like it’s so huge a problem, and then, of course a day or a few days later everything is fine again.

Then I tell myself to remember this for the next time, because then I’ll know I’m not seeing the issue clearly.

But when the knew challenge comes, I have to intentionally put all my trust in Jesus through Mary, because–once again–the problem seems so overwhelming.

How weak I am! And how much Jesus and Mary love us!

Dear Brother Pat,

Thanks for your reply. You are not alone – it seems to me all of us need to face our fears! Sometimes we can “make problems for ourselves” or the devil can suggest them, or someone or something can upset us. Time does have a way of “healing” us, but when we are undergoing any anxiety or problem it can seem overwhelming.

What helps me is simply to begin praying “Jesus, I trust in you” and "Mary, My Queen and my Mother, I am all yours. Keep me. Guard me as your property and possession. When I remind myself, by these prayers that Jesus and Mary are always near to help, the fear begins to decrease and by continuing to pray slowly and quietly, I find that peace returns to my soul.

Perhaps you have a similar method or others reading this thread have ways to keep their eyes on Jesus and Mary rather than to focus on a problem or anxiety. God is Faithful and Trustworthy. He loves us even more than we can imagine – gazing on the crucifix convinces me that no one has ever loved us more than God. He is well worth our efforts to learn how to love as He loves.

 

[patricius79]

Dear Brother Pat,

Thanks for your reply. You are not alone – it seems to me all of us need to face our fears! Sometimes we can “make problems for ourselves” or the devil can suggest them, or someone or something can upset us. Time does have a way of “healing” us, but when we are undergoing any anxiety or problem it can seem overwhelming.

What helps me is simply to begin praying “Jesus, I trust in you” and "Mary, My Queen and my Mother, I am all yours. Keep me. Guard me as your property and possession. When I remind myself, by these prayers that Jesus and Mary are always near to help, the fear begins to decrease and by continuing to pray slowly and quietly, I find that peace returns to my soul.

Perhaps you have a similar method or others reading this thread have ways to keep their eyes on Jesus and Mary rather than to focus on a problem or anxiety. God is Faithful and Trustworthy. He loves us even more than we can imagine – gazing on the crucifix convinces me that no one has ever loved us more than God. He is well worth our efforts to learn how to love as He loves.

Yes, my sister, that is the key: to keep refocusing ourselves on Jesus living in Mary, rather than focusing only on our problem.

Just saying the most-holy names of Jesus and Mary help me a lot. The Name of Jesus contains Christ’s very presence and contains the whole economy of creation and salvation. And the saving name of Mary is our spiritual honey.

I also find that reciting the Rosary helps me. Or simply reciting one Hail Mary or one decade of the Rosary, reflecting on the Incarnation, the central mystery of our salvation and of the Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts.

Mostly I just cry out to Mary and Jesus for the help of their Infinite Mercy.

They are so good!