May 31, 2018
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dear Family of Mary!
On this beautiful feast, we remember Our Mother's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary went with haste to visit her cousin because Gabriel told her that Elizabeth was pregnant! This was astonishing news! Elizabeth had been barren for many years. Mary visited Elizabeth as any good cousin would, to help her in her time of need. But she also carried with her the incredible news that the Savior had come, being conceived in her womb. Both women were participants in a great plan of salvation initiated by God!
This visitation was prophetic and Spirit filled! Elizabeth prophesied to Mary about Jesus and the Holy Spirit fell upon Elizabeth and John (in her womb) at the presence of Jesus in Mary's womb. It was a powerful moment for them all!! Little Jesus was already blessing His people. And Our Lady was visiting! She was carrying Jesus to Elizabeth and John! She was doing her work of visiting, like all women of her day. Visiting relatives in order to help them in need. But she was bringing the kind of help that only she could bring, the presence of Jesus!
In our day, Mother Mary is also visiting. She is visiting us in Medjugorje. She is bringing little Jesus with her. She is coming to help her relatives in Medjugorje, the family that Jesus gave to her at the foot of the Cross. We are her children, because Jesus gave her to us! And so she visits us, bringing graces and blessings for each of us.
She once said to us:
"Dear children, My coming to you is a gift from the Heavenly Father for you. Through His love I am coming to help you to find the way to the truth, to find the way to my Son. I am coming to confirm the truth to you. I desire to remind you of the words of my Son. He pronounced words of salvation for the entire world, the words of love for everyone - that love which He proved by His sacrifice. But even today, many of my children do not know Him, they do not want to come to know Him, they are indifferent. Because of their indifference my heart suffers painfully. My Son has always been in the Father. By being born on earth He brought the divine and from me received the human. With Him the word came among us. With Him came the light of the world which penetrates hearts, illuminates them and fills them with love and consolation. My children, all those who love my Son can see Him, because His face can be seen through the souls which are filled with love for Him. Therefore, my children, my apostles, listen to me. Leave vanity and selfishness. Do not live only for what is earthly and material. Love my Son and make it so that others may see His face through your love for Him. I will help you to come to know Him all the more. I will speak to you about Him. Thank you." (March 2, 2016)
Our Lady's coming to us is a gift from the Heavenly Father! Just as He sent Mary to Elizabeth all those years ago, so now He sends her to us, so that we will have all the graces we need to survive, spiritually, in this very difficult time.
May we always pray with Our Lady these words she spoke in joy to the Lord at the Visitation:
The Prayer of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
(Lk 1:46-55)
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2018
PS. St. James Parish will change to the Summer Schedule on June 1 - this Friday! The main change is that the Evening Program of Prayer will start an hour later, beginning at 6:00 pm with the Rosary and continuing with the International Mass at 7:00 pm. I will send the complete schedule changes in my next reflection!
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