Mary TV: August 31, 2021 Reflection - St. Augustine, part 2

 

We are challenged to have great faith!!! August 31, 2021 Dear Family of Mary! Here is the August 25, 2021 Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace: “Dear children! With joy I am calling all of you, little children, who have responded to my call: be joy and peace. Witness with your lives Heaven, which I am bringing to you. It is time, little children, that you be a reflection of my love for all those who do not love and whose hearts hatred has conquered. Do not forget: I am with you and intercede for all of you before my Son Jesus, that He may give you His peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (August 25, 2021) On Saturday, the Feast of St. Augustine (August 28), Fr. Kevin McKeever gave a most spectacular homily in St. Augustine's honor. I have transcribed it for us. Here is part 2!! Homily for August 28, 2021, English Mass, Medjugorje - Fr. Kevin McKeever - Part 2 Like the servant with only one talent, we might feel weak, we might think we are useless, But we are not. We are not left totally helpless or deprived of God's grace. Our ability to help improve our times may indeed be modest, but it exists, none the less. And we cannot let fear or despair drive us to give in and do nothing. Letting our talent go to waste, like the servant who hid his talent in the ground. It can be so tempting to be like him. To become discouraged. Life can seem hard at times. Maybe even God could seem absent, or uncaring, or unfair. But that is the devil's temptation to discouragement. Instead let us heed St. Paul, in our first reading, who urges us to knuckle down to the unglamorous task of trying to live our faith in the midst of the little duties of our everyday life conscientiously and with love. Don't think for a single moment that living a life of virtue in your home or your workplace is something insignificant or not worth while. Never think that any of your prayers are wasted or in vain. If you say the Memorare and you mean it, you will soon find that the opposite is true. No prayer is left unanswered, no petition is in vain. Augustine teaches us what to do: "Men are saying, 'bad times, troublesome times!' Let our lives be good and the times are good. We make our times. Such as we are, such are the times. But what can we do? We cannot convert the mass of humanity to the good life. But let the few who do listen, listen well. Let the few who live well endure the many who live badly. Let us as I have said, while we live, pour out our groans before the Lord and endure the evils that we may attain to the things that are good. The Master of the household is loving to us. He carries us, and now we Him. He knows how to govern what He has made. Do what He has commanded and hope for what He has promised." As today's Gospel reminds us, the Lord is Master of the Church and of the whole world, and He is in charge. And if he seems asleep as He was in the boat with the disciples on the stormy sea, then yet again listen to Augustine's advice: "Sail across this world in the boat of your interior peacefulness without losing sight of the harbor. When the strong winds of the world's desires try to take hold of you, call for help and awake Christ who is sleeping in the cabin of your heart." How easy it is to forget that Christ dwells in us. He is closer to us than our own flesh. He is our life. No wonder he commanded us at the Last Supper to celebrate the Eucharist in memory of Him. Because when we come before Jesus in the Eucharist we are reminded that He loved us so much that He died for us and that His power is so great that He conquered death by His resurrection. Christ's love, His power, His grace can do for us what we cannot hope to do for ourselves. St. Augustine is known in the Church as the Doctor of Grace. And he reminds us never to forget or forsake the grace of God. He experienced the power of grace in his own life as Christ enabled him to face the temptations and challenges that he could never hope to defeat on his own. He said, "You commanded me and since you give me the power, it was so done." I like to think that the talents in today's Gospel symbolize God's grace. A talent, you see, was an immense amount of money. A huge amount. That in itself reminds us that God's grace is far more precious than anything this world has to offer. And like the servants in the Gospel, we receive grace in the measure in which we are open to receive it and are able to profit by it. Those who are entrusted with heavy crosses or important tasks are given sufficient grace to carry them. No matter how able we are by nature, we need everyday to beg God for the help of His grace as we set out on our tasks, that we will use our gifts and abilities well. With His grace, all things are possible. Without it we labor in vain. As St. Augustine commented on the story of David and Goliath, "All our strength lies in the knowledge of God and the reception of His grace, in which David placed all His confidence. Goliath on the contrary, counted only on himself, on his own strength." And we know how that turned out for him. With the help of God's grace let us not fear our sufferings, or the challenges of being a good Catholic today, but like St. Augustine, bear them with a stout heart, with a fortitude that finds its strength in faith. Amen (Homily of Fr. Kevin McKeever, August 28, 2021 - English Mass Medjugorje) https://marytv.tv/english-homily-in-medjugorje-2/?smid=iAzb9cs0lQW&slid=IRBKmbjFsDA In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan Mary TV 2021

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"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." St. John Paul II Be Connected! www.marytv.tv Mary TV | P.O. Box 899, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Mary TV: August 30, 2021 Reflection - St. Augustine

 

We are challenged to have great faith!!! August 30, 2021 Dear Family of Mary! Here is the August 25, 2021 Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace: “Dear children! With joy I am calling all of you, little children, who have responded to my call: be joy and peace. Witness with your lives Heaven, which I am bringing to you. It is time, little children, that you be a reflection of my love for all those who do not love and whose hearts hatred has conquered. Do not forget: I am with you and intercede for all of you before my Son Jesus, that He may give you His peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (August 25, 2021) On Saturday, the Feast of St. Augustine (August 28), Fr. Kevin McKeever gave a most spectacular homily in St. Augustine's honor. I have transcribed it for us. Today I present the first half and tomorrow the second. We will receive a great deal of peace from Fr. Kevin's words: Homily for August 28, 2021, English Mass, Medjugorje - Fr. Kevin McKeever The servants in today's Gospel all received a share in their Master's riches in proportion to their ability. The weak are not meant to be envious of the strong because the Lord in His mercy has given them a lesser burden to carry our of consideration for the ability. But the strong are not meant to become proud or look down on the weak because by accepting the greater duties that are allotted to them, they realize that they will have to face a more demanding judgement. Today we see that in the life of St. Augustine. God lavished great spiritual gifts of wisdom, eloquence and knowledge upon him, and gave him the dignity of being a bishop in his Church. Yet for Augustine that was no reason for boasting. On the contrary, he said that the responsibilities placed upon him terrified him. But the grace of still being a Christian, loved by God, comforted him. As he famously said, "For you I am a bishop. With you, I am a Christian." The immense grace that God lavished on St. Augustine from the moment of his conversion until the moment of his holy death, combined with his natural genius to produce an amazing abundance of spiritual fruit. The Church never ceases to draw a rich harvest from Augustine's labors. Every time his books or sermons are read, studied and used in prayer. Anyone who has encountered St. Augustine through his writings, cannot help but have their heart and soul touched by the spirit of this saintly bishop and doctor of the Church. Just as God touched the heart of Augustine and set it aflame with love, so too does He continue to touch the hearts of all of us through St. Augustine's work. The marvelous thing about Augustine's voluminous writings is that he has something to say for every mood and every occasion. For example when we read his famous Confessions, we can reflect with Augustine about how the invisible hand of God's providence guides every moment of our life. Even in the bad moments, we see that God is there patiently preparing us for something greater. With Augustine we can weep in penitence for our sins. And we can rejoice in the mercy of God. With him we can thank God for the beauty of His creation. And praise Him for all His mighty deeds. However Augustine can also give us a good shake to get us out of our complacency or to stop us from feeling sorry for ourselves. Augustine lived in very troubled times. And he often had to deal with parishioners who were always moaning and complaining about how bad things are. So he once said in a sermon, "Our Holy Scriptures do not promise us peace, security and repose, but tribulations and distress. So we must not complain. 'As some of them complained,' as the Apostle says, 'and perished from the serpents.' What fresh sort of sufferings to we endure that our fathers did not undergo? Yet you find men complaining about the times we live in, saying that the times of our parents were good. What if they could be taken back to the times of their parents and should then complain. The past times that you think were good, are good because they are not yours here and now. Have we forgotten the flood, have we forgotten those burdensome times of famine and wars? They were written about to prevent us from complaining about the present time against God. What times those were. So we have rather cause for congratulating ourselves, than grounds for complaining about our own times." And how relevant those words are for us. If we are lamenting our own times, whether it is because of COVID and restrictions, or because of war and terrorism, or even problems in the Church. Augustine could point us to his own times, never mind the disasters of other centuries, and tell us to be thankful for small mercies. Imagine facing the plagues that rocked the Roman Empire without the benefit of modern medical science. Or imagine being Augustine watching the Vandals attack his home town in North Africa. One year after his death, Augustine's city of Hippo Regius was destroyed, never again to recover. We might think that the Catholic Church is in a bad way now, but Augustine could point to the scandals and schisms of his own day, which were so divisive that they often led to violence. He had to contend with the Manichaens, the Arians, the Donatists, the Pelagians. Those words might not mean much to you now, but all they meant to Augustine was headache, heartache and stress. No wonder he never had a moments rest as he tried to argue with them and correct them. So today, St. Augustine also stands before us as a reminder that all the paths of history, just like our own personal journey through life, stand under the loving guidance of God's providence. So instead of being fearful, complaining, we are challenged to have faith, and patient trust in God. Willingly carrying our crosses as a precious way of sharing in the saving Cross of Christ. End of part 1! Part 2 tomorrow! (Homily of Fr. Kevin McKeever, August 28, 2021 - English Mass Medjugorje) https://marytv.tv/english-homily-in-medjugorje-2/?smid=iAzb9cs0lQW&slid=IRBKmbjFsDA In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan Mary TV 2021

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"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." St. John Paul II Be Connected! www.marytv.tv Mary TV | P.O. Box 899, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Mary TV: August 27, 2021 Reflection - With Joy!

 

With joy I am calling all of you!!! August 27, 2021 Dear Family of Mary! Here is the August 25, 2021 Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace: “Dear children! With joy I am calling all of you, little children, who have responded to my call: be joy and peace. Witness with your lives Heaven, which I am bringing to you. It is time, little children, that you be a reflection of my love for all those who do not love and whose hearts hatred has conquered. Do not forget: I am with you and intercede for all of you before my Son Jesus, that He may give you His peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (August 25, 2021) Our Mother greeted us in her message in a way that surprised me: “Dear children! With joy I am calling all of you, little children, who have responded to my call: be joy and peace.." As these difficult days continue, the word "joy" seems to be less and less part of our vocabulary. And yet, Our Lady's words to us are pure joy!! She calls us with joy in her heart! She calls us with the kind of love that turns into joy when you see the beloved! She loves us and so when she speaks to us, joy bubbles up from deep in her heart! The joy of seeing her beloved children! On the other hand, it can be hard for us to "be joy" in these days. And so I thought we might pray this litany of joy in which we acknowledge the things that diminish our joy, and pray for the things that will build up our joy. LITANY OF JOY From my need to be in control… deliver me, Jesus. From the distorted view of what will make me happy… deliver me, Jesus. From disappointment and discouragement in the weakness of others… deliver me, Jesus. From disappointment and discouragement in my own weakness… deliver me, Jesus. From letting the evil one control my reactions throughout my day… deliver me, Jesus. From the lie that You are far from me… deliver me, Jesus. From the moments when I place my identity in someone or something else… deliver me, Jesus. From my fear of discomfort and suffering… deliver me, Jesus. From the lie that I am not enough… deliver me, Jesus. From the lie that You are not enough and cannot fulfill the longings of my heart… deliver me, Jesus. In the times I am feeling the weight of the Cross… Jesus, come be my joy. In times of confusion… Jesus, come be my joy. When I am afraid… Jesus, come be my joy. In the times I feel overwhelmed… Jesus, come be my joy. In the times when I feel Your peace… Jesus, come be my joy. In times of friendship and community… Jesus, come be my joy. In times of misunderstanding and hurt… Jesus, come be my joy. When I am jealous… Jesus, come be my joy. When I am angry… Jesus, come be my joy. When I want to give up… Jesus, come be my joy. When I am fighting temptation… Jesus, come be my joy. In times of planning and work… Jesus, come be my joy. In times when I am tired… Jesus, come be my joy. In times of doubt… Jesus, come be my joy. When I cannot see the future ahead of me… Jesus, come be my joy. At all times, seasons, and moments in my life… Jesus, come be my joy. Amen. (Written by Colleen Collette - https://drinkofthespirit.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/litany-of-joy/ In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan Mary TV 2021

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"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." St. John Paul II Be Connected! www.marytv.tv Mary TV | P.O. Box 899, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Our Lady's Message to Marija on August 25, 2021

 

Our Lady's Message to Marija  on August 25, 2021   "Dear children! With joy I am calling all of you, little children, who have responded to my call: be joy and peace. Witness with your lives Heaven, which I am bringing to you. It is time, little children, that you be a reflection of my love for all those who do not love and whose hearts hatred has conquered. Do not forget: I am with you and intercede for all of you before my Son Jesus, that He may give you His peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Children of Medjugorje, INC | Kacide 5, Medjugorje, 88266 Bosnia & Herzegovina

Mary TV: August 24, 2021 Reflection - Looking forward to Our Lady's message

 

Thank you Dearest Mother, for your messages! August 24, 2021 St. Bartholomew Dear Family of Mary! Tomorrow we look forward to another public message from Our Lady, given through Marija Pavlovic Lunetti. These messages have come to us every month for 34 years! It is remarkable!! We thank Marija for being so steadfast and trustworthy in her task of transmitting Our Lady's messages to us each month! Thank you, Marija!!! Here is the first message given on the 25th of the month, January 25, 1987: January 25, 1987 The first apparition of the 25th of the month, given to Marija, for the parish: "Today I want to appeal to all of you to start living a new life from this day on. Dear children, I wish that you would understand that God has chosen each one of you to have a part in the great plan for the salvation of mankind. You cannot fully understand how great your role is in God's design. For that reason, pray, dear children, so that through prayer, you may be able to know your role in God's plan. I am with you, so that you may be able to realize it fully." Isn't this message amazing? Our Lady gave us a call to be part of the great plan for the salvation of mankind! And how would we take part in this plan? We would pray so that we would come to know our individual role in God's plan. This was a beautiful call to us back in 1987, and it is the same call for today. Our Lady needs us to be those who pray in order to know and do God's will for us, day by day. She gave a beautiful call on July 25, 2021: July 25, 2021 "Dear children! I am calling you to be prayer for all those who do not pray. Little children, witness with your lives the joy that you are mine and God will heed your prayers and give you peace in this peaceless world where pride and selfishness reign. Little children, you be generous and be the love of my love, so that pagans can feel that you are mine and convert to my Immaculate Heart. Thank you for having responded to my call." Our Lady called us to "be prayer," "witness with our lives," be generous," and be the love of her love...why? So that others would be converted, so many others who at this time are pagan, those who worship non-gods. We can be part of the great plan for the salvation of mankind which God is leading. Each one of us, as we pray and seek the Lord will find that way. Thank you, Dearest Mother, for your presence in Medjugorje and for your messages. We wait with great faith and expectation for the message you will give us tomorrow! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV 2021

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"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." St. John Paul II Be Connected! www.marytv.tv Mary TV | P.O. Box 899, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Mary TV: August 23, 2021 Reflection - Listen to and live my messages!

Listen to and live my messages! August 23, 2021 Dear Family of Mary! In two days, Our Lady will give a message for the world. She will give it to us through the visionary Marija. These messages on the 25th of the month have been continuing for 34 years!!! Every month she gives us her words of blessing, encouragement, enlightenment, correction, direction, and hope. Her words work in our hearts as only the words of our Mother can! Love, pure love!! Children always remember the words of love their mother speaks to them! Her words work in our minds with the practical teaching that only a mother can give. She gives simple instructions, with few words, but with great precision, always telling us what is most important for our spiritual and practical lives. Her words work in our souls with healing and light, as only the Spouse of the Holy Spirit could provide. Mary's words to us are words from Heaven. They bring us in touch with eternal realities and with our deepest hopes. And the Holy Spirit can rush upon us when we open our hearts to her words. So you can see that Our Lady's messages are a gift from our Heavenly Mother for our salvation. October 24, 1985 "Dear children! From day to day I wish to clothe you in holiness, goodness, obedience and God's love, so that from day to day you become more beautiful and more prepared for your Master. Dear children, listen to and live my messages. I wish to guide you. Thank you for having responded to my call." Mother, we long for your guidance! We will again try to listen with open hearts to your messages. Thank you for responding to our call to you, our call from earth for your intervention and help. Thank you, dearest Mother! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV 2021

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"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." St. John Paul II Be Connected! www.marytv.tv Mary TV | P.O. Box 899, Notre Dame, IN 46556