May 16 - "If the world hates you..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, Saturday, and every Saturday is “Mary"s day” for me and I hope it is becoming that for more and more of her children. Sunday is the “Lord’s Day” - the Day of Resurrection but before He died Jesus gave Mary to us as Mother so that we might “see by faith” in her, God’s power to save us.

In the Mass readings for today, we continue to hear in John’s Gospel, Jesus speaking to His Disciples, at the Last Supper, the night before He died, :

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.” (Jn 15:18-21)

As I listened to these words, I remembered how Mary our Mother suffered with Jesus in His rejection, not only on Calvary, but in Bethlehem when “there was no room in the inn” for them and when Herod sought to kill the child; and the Holy Family fled to Egypt. I pondered how great Mary’s Faith was because of her Immaculate Conception. Sin never darkened her intellect or weakened her will – her Immaculate Heart is Pure and Her Immaculate Heart will triumph in the end.

The recent Feast of Our Lady of Fatima was not far from my memory also today - I remembered Mary telling the children they would suffer after they said they were willing to pray the Rosary every day and offer sacrifices for poor sinners. Mary asks us as well, if we are willing as the children were, and so I wonder how many people think of Mary especially – not only on the First Saturday of every month – but on every Saturday.

Jesus has given us His Peace – not as the world gives and so we need to keep listening to all He said and did, even as Mary listened and pondered all in her heart.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in You! Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us! St. Joseph, Guardian and Protector of the Church, pray for us.

 

[hazcompat]

Queen of Heaven, rejoice. Alleluia.
For He, whom thou wast worthy to bear. Alleluia.
Has risen as He said. Alleluia.
Pray for us to God. Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
R. Because the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray
O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast been pleased to give joy to the whole world, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear QuietTrad,

Yes, dear brother, we all experience those temptaions to let go of Our Lady’s Hand and tell ourselves, the narrow road is too narrow; it is too hard to keep praying for grace to grow spiritually. But you are right, we all need to pray even more fervently because the evil one continues to prowl around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (see 1 Peter 5: 5-10). St. Peter fell but he wept bitterly and so he wrote to encourage others who are seeking to follow Jesus:

Cast all your worries upon Him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. (1 Pet 5: 7-9)

In watching the DVd set we purchased on the “Message of Fatima” I’ve been increasingly blessed by the shepherd children. Mary told them they would suffer and they did, because they believed her words. We need to remember the words of Jesus to his grown men disciples who were not yet so brave; when they asked Jesus who was the greatest in heaven, Jesus responded:

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 18: 2-4).

Let us run to our Mother Mary, from whom all graces flow, and cast ourselves into her arms, and we will become humble like her! Let us trust her as the children of Fatima did. Don’t let yourself grow weary, but look to Mary who is fair as the moon bright as the sun and terrible as an army in Battle array. She is more powerful than satan. Let satan know you are Mary’s child and he will flee. He fears Mary.

Pray the Rosary and know our Mother Mary hears and never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection was left unaided! Please let us pray for one another and all those in need of God’s Mercy through Mary. Totus tuus!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your reply - how beautiful those words are, which we pray to our Mother and to our Queen! Yes, the Easter season, despite any and every trial we may suffer, is a time to rejoice! Let us rejoice with our Mother who believed Her Son would Rise, as He did, and who prays for us her children.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear QuietTrad, Stoplooklisten, Stephie and, Inbonum.

Thank you all for your “hearts” so willing to be like the children of Fatima, who appreciate the gift Our Lady is to all who hear Jesus’ words: “Behold your Mother!” May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us that we may become more like our Mother who is both Mother and Model for the Church!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear QuietTrad,

Yes, how sweet your prayer must be to the hearts of Jesus and Mary! Mary wants all of us to be as Jesus her firstborn was and is - Meek and Humble of Heart! Let us keep believing in their Love for us, and strive by God’s Grace to love Them in return.

I woke up early and the prayer that I began to pray for you and me and for all of us to Mary was the beautiful “Memorare”:

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Totus tuus!