A Pilgrim at prayer by St. James Church
(c) Anthony Zubac/ Mary TV 2018
February 5, 2019
St. Agatha
Dear Family of Mary!
"Dear children! The love and goodness of the Heavenly Father give revelations which make faith grow, for it to be interpreted, that it may bring peace, certainty and hope. In this way, I, too, my children-through the merciful love of the Heavenly Father-always, anew, am showing you the way to my Son, to eternal salvation. But, unfortunately, many of my children do not want to hear me; many of my children are of two minds. And I-I always, in time and beyond time, magnified the Lord for all that He has done in me and through me..."(February 2, 2019)
God is always reaching out to us, offering us revelations of His love. The Father's heart is full. His heart burns for us. And so, He sends us "messages" of His love. Those messages come in many forms. We see a beautiful sunset. It is His light from the sun playing a beautiful game in our atmosphere, trying to get our attention. Trying to let us know He is with us. In the midst of a snow storm, the world is transformed into whiteness, soft and swirling all around us, dazzling our eyes and wrapping us in coldness. God's power can leave us breathless! Nature is full of the revelations of the Father if we are awake enough to notice them.
The Father wants to reveal Himself to us.
Our Lady also is trying to reveal her love to us. She has been sent by the Father to lead us to Jesus, the final and most incredible revelation of the Father. Our Lady's love desires that we all be saved. It is a powerful love of a powerful Mother. But alas, many of us don't seem to even see her. Many of us don't see the Father either. Why? Because many of us have two minds.
What does it mean to have two minds?
Merriam-Webster says this:
Double minded: wavering in mind:undecided, vacillating; "a double-minded man unstable in all his ways" - James 1:8 (Revised Standard Version)
Of two minds: not decided or certain about something: having two opinions or ideas about something. I can't make up my mind where to take my vacation: I'm of two minds about where to go.I'm of two minds about (hiring) him: he seems well-qualified, but he doesn't have much experience.
Clearly having two minds means that we can't make a choice, we ride the fence - leaning this way and that. It shows a lack of faith, and lack of commitment, a shallow disposition. Many people have just such a disposition to the faith. They just don't have the courage or maturity to make a stand and trust in the Lord. And so, they waver and fall away.
Let's read the whole section of the Letter of James, chapter 1, that was cited in the definition of double-minded above:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greeting. Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. (James 1: 1-8)
I would guess that it is when we are tested that we are tempted to become double-minded. We begin to have a debate in our heart. Do I trust the Lord, do I stand with what I believe He is asking of me, or is this suffering too much? Should I run away? Is God with me or not? On and on it goes. When we are like this, Our Lady can't help us. We just stop cooperating much too easily!
And such a mind cannot receive any of the revelations of the Father either! They are impervious to them because of their distracted-ness and doubt.
Well, enough said. Tomorrow we will look at Our Lady's remedy for double mindedness!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
© Mary TV 2019
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