Decide for a change of life...
(c)Mary TV 2014
J.M.J
March 14, 2014
Dear Family of Mary!
"Dear children! Today I bless you with my motherly blessing and I invite you all to conversion. I wish that each of you decide for a change of life and that each of you works more in the Church not through words and thoughts but through example, so that your life may be a joyful testimony for Jesus. You cannot say that you are converted, because your life must become a daily conversion. In order to understand what you have to do, little children, pray and God will give you what you completely have to do, and where you have to change. I am with you and place you all under my mantle. Thank you for having responded to my call." - February 25, 1993
In
this beautiful Lenten message, Our Lady calls us to a change of life.
This is the fundamental project that we are given by Holy Mother Church
during Lent. We are asked to make a change of life.
"What
does this mean?" we may ask. What's wrong with my life the way it is?
Can't I just offer my life now to the Lord? Why is change necessary?
Haven't I done enough already?
We
all know the answer to these questions. Of course we need to change our
lives. Yes, there is a lot wrong with our lives, if we are honest. And
though we can offer our lives now, God wants us to be perfect like Him!
We must make a change, convert, stop what is negative, embrace the
good, and learn to love like Jesus loves. We are so far from holiness!
It can seem like an impossible task.
A
change of life...so much holds us back, our habits, our "needs", our
desires, our addictions, our self-centered thoughts and our cowardly
fears. A change of life brings us to the unknown. What will it be like
if I don't complain anymore? What will I do if I can't surf the
internet? How will I get through my day without chocolate? Who will be
my friend, if I give up the relationships that lead me into sin? How
will I defend myself, if I can't be angry?
The
list is long. The task is great. But Our Lady is calling to us. She
wants us to step out on the road of conversion where every step is a
change in life! "You cannot say that you are converted, because your life must become a daily conversion."
Our lives must be moment by moment conversions. Conversion has to
become our biggest habit! Turning from our own way of thinking, and
thinking as God thinks. Turning from our own way of acting, and acting
like God acts. Turning from our natural feelings and emotions and
feeling the love that God feels for us and for others. Turning from our
own spontaneous words (sometimes nice, sometimes not so nice) and
speaking at the urging of the Holy Spirit, in imitation of Jesus and
Mary.
"In
order to understand what you have to do, little children, pray and God
will give you what you completely have to do, and where you have to
change." This conversion journey is impossible without
prayer. Only God can tell us what to change and how. He alone knows what
we are made of, and what we are called to be. He can lead us into a new
life!
But the key to responding to this message for me is the beginning and the end! "Today I bless you with my motherly blessing..." and "I am with you and place you all under my mantle."
Our Lady asks us to make the choice for holiness, but she doesn't ask
us to do it by ourselves. She blesses us with her motherly blessing, she
is with us and she places us under her mantle. She surrounds us with
her love and her protection. She intercedes for us and will not leave
our sides as we try to make a change in our lives. I, for one, really
need her if I am going to face my deficiencies and choose to change!
Thank you, Mother Mary, for being with us!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2014
"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world!"
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