Be carriers of Hope...
(c)Mary TV 2013
J.M.J
January 28, 2014
St. Thomas Aquinas
Dear Family of Mary!
This
is Day 5 of our Novena for Priests. As I write, I am snowed in at home
by a winter emergency. This arctic blast shows the incredible power of
nature, something none of us can control. I feel safe in God's hands,
but there is a certain tension and stress from the life-threatening
situation. Praise God, the novena must be working!!
Novena for Priests, Day Five
"Dear children!...I am especially praying and watching over those whom my Son called to be light bearers and carriers of hope for you - for your shepherds. Thank you." (March 2, 2013)
Sr. Briege continues:
The
second area of challenge for priests - and for all Christians - is
hope. The priest is called to be a man of hope. Our Holy Father [Blessed
John Paul II] continually reminds priests and religious that they must
be signs and symbols of hope in a world where hope is shattered daily.
People who have lost sight of God now build their hopes on governments, financial securities and other people.
The only security and the only hope comes in Jesus.
I
say to priests that it is good for us to look to Mary and the challenge
this young Jewish woman had to face. Mary heard the beautiful words of
Gabriel, that her child would be Son of the Most High. She was deeply
touched by the beautiful prophetic words, and yet she had to live
through the soul-searing contradiction of Jesus' life. Her son was born
in a stable, lost when he was twelve, rejected by his people, treated
like a criminal, beaten and spat upon, crucified and mocked. Through it
all, she pondered the angel's words in her heart. She was willing to be
steadfast in hope when hope seemed ridiculous.
Like
Mary, the priest receives a promise when he is ordained. Like Mary, he
must face many contradictions. Like Mary, he is called to hope when hope
seems ridiculous.
As
with faith, hope comes only through prayer. It is very important that
we recognize faith, hope, and love as the branches that come forth from
the vine. (Sr. Briege McKenna. "Miracles Do Happen." P. 81-82)
A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord. Keep them, for they are Thine
The priests whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world though from the world apart.
When earthly treasures tempt, allure - Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain,
when all their life of sacrifice for souls seems but in vain.
Keep them and remember Lord, they have no one but Thee.
They have only human hearts, with human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host, that daily they caress;
their every thought and word and deed, deign, dearest Lord, to bless.
May
our priests be filled with God-given Hope, and may we encourage them
by our own gift of Hope. With God, all things are possible. Mother
Mary, fill us with God's Hope!
Thank you, dearest Lord, for our priests.
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2014
PS. On Wednesday, January 29, we will show "Queen of Peace" at 8:00 am and 2:00 pm EST! Spread the word!!
"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world!"
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