 (c)Mary TV 2008- the way that is bitter |
April 18, 2012
Dear Family of Mary!
"Dear children! I beseech you to take up the way of holiness beginning today. I love you and, therefore, I want you to be holy. I do not want Satan to block you on that way. Dear children, pray and accept all that God is offering you on a way which is bitter. But at the same time, God will reveal every sweetness to whomever begins to go on that way, and He will gladly answer every call to God. Do not attribute importance to petty things. Long for Heaven. Thank you for having responded to my call." (July 25, 1987) 
Our Lady describes the human condition very accurately in this message of 1987. We are on earth, on a way which is bitter. Satan tries to block us on that way, constantly. But we are on our way towards heaven. And if we pray, if we accept God's plan and follow Him, we will experience the deep sweetness of His love. We will lose interest in the temporal things of this earth and Heaven will become our focus, our goal.
I came across an excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which confirms Our Lady's words in this message. It is n. 407 - 409:
A hard battle. . .
407 The doctrine of original sin, closely connected with that of redemption by Christ, provides lucid discernment of man's situation and activity in the world. By our first parents' sin, the devil has acquired a certain domination over man, even though man remains free. Original sin entails "captivity under the power of him who thenceforth had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Council of Trent -1546) Ignorance of the fact that man has a wounded nature inclined to evil gives rise to serious errors in the areas of education, politics, social action(Cf. John Paul II, CA 25) and morals.
408 The consequences of original sin and of all men's personal sins put the world as a whole in the sinful condition aptly described in St. John's expression, "the sin of the world" (Jn2:29) This expression can also refer to the negative influence exerted on people by communal situations and social structures that are the fruit of men's sins. (Cf. John Paul II, RP 16)
409 This dramatic situation of "the whole world [which] is in the power of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19) makes man's life a battle:
The whole of man's history has been the story of our combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day. Finding himself in the midst of the battlefield man has to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God's grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity. (GS§ 37)
This is a good description of our way that is bitter. We have been born into a battle. We cannot escape that battle. It is a fact of life, the life we have inherited from Adam and Eve. satan owns this world we live in. He has a right to it, by the evil choices of our ancestors and contemporaries. But he has no right to us. We can say "no" to him and his lies, and choose God. But it is always a struggle that we must fight.
If we ignore satan and his lies, we will fall into his hands unawares. If we over-estimate our own strength, thinking that we are not weakened by the fall, we will surely be defeated by the devil's tricks. But if we recognize the battle, recognize our fallen state, and arm ourselves with the grace of God, humbly entering the fray in the company of Jesus and Mary, we have a chance to win through to holiness.
Our Lady is with us to help us, to teach us, to encourage us, and to intercede for us, that we will have the graces we need to win the battles of life. And on this bitter way, we will be nourished by the Savior of our souls, who feeds us with His own Body and Blood, and fills us with His Spirit, so that we will not be overcome.
In this beautiful Easter time, may we be filled with Resurrection graces to fortify us for the battles ahead, supported by our Mother Mary, and fed and strengthened by Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
PS. I want to share with you the information for the Medjugorje 2012 National Conference at the University of Notre Dame, May 11-13. There will be some wonderful witnesses and talks this year, including Fr. Paul Nomellini, Christine Watkins, Mark Forrest, Father Jozo Grbes, OFM, Dr. Theodore Homa, Dr. Joseph Bigiakas, and me (!). You can register by calling 574-288-8777, or going towww.QueenofPeaceMinistries.com
I have no experience giving talks, please pray for me. Consider coming to support this great conference and join in the anointed prayer and sharing of that weekend!
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