Mary TV: July 10, 2018 Reflection - You are given the freedom to choose...P.4

 

(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

July 10, 2018

 

Dear Family of Mary!

"...My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good..." (July 2, 2018)

Today we reflect on the Theological Virtue of Hope! This wonderful virtue powers us through the most difficult trials and keeps our eyes fixed on Heaven. It helps us to endure our troubles and choose the good, because of the joy that is set before us in Christ. Here is the Catechism's description of Hope:

Hope

1817 Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:32-32) "The Holy Spirit . . . he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:6-7.)

1818 The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspire men's activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity.

1819 Christian hope takes up and fulfills the hope of the chosen people which has its origin and model in the hope of Abraham, who was blessed abundantly by the promises of God fulfilled in Isaac, and who was purified by the test of the sacrifice. (Gen 17:4-8) Hoping against hope, he believed, and thus became the father of many nations." (Rom 4:18)

1820 Christian hope unfolds from the beginning of Jesus' preaching in the proclamation of the beatitudes. the beatitudes raise our hope toward heaven as the new Promised Land; they trace the path that leads through the trials that await the disciples of Jesus. But through the merits of Jesus Christ and of his Passion, God keeps us in the "hope that does not disappoint." (Rom 5:5.) Hope is the "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul . . . that enters . . . where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf." (Heb 6:19-20) Hope is also a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation: "Let us . . . put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." (1 Thess 5:8.) It affords us joy even under trial: "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation." (Rom 12:12.) Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, the summary of everything that hope leads us to desire.

1821 We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. (Cf. Rom 8:28-30; Mt 7:21.) In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere "to the end" (Mt 10:22) and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. In hope, the Church prays for "all men to be saved." (1 Tim 2:4) She longs to be united with Christ, her Bridegroom, in the glory of heaven:

Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end. (St. Teresa of Avila, Eccl. 15:3)

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P66.HTM

Our Lady calls us to accept Jesus in our hearts, and carry hope to the world:

 

November 25, 2008 "Dear children! Also today I call you, in this time of grace, to pray for little Jesus to be born in your heart. May He, who is peace itself, give peace to the entire world through you. Therefore, little children, pray without ceasing for this turbulent world without hope, so that you may become witnesses of peace for all. May hope begin to flow through your hearts as a river of grace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

May hope begin to flow through our hearts as a river of grace!!!!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2018

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
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Sister Emmanuel's Report from Medjugorje for July 2018

Medjugorje, July 10, 2018   Dear children of Medjugorje, praised be Jesus and Mary!        1. On July 2, 2018 Mirjana received her monthly apparition at the Blue Cross, surrounded by a large crowd of pilgrims. Here is the message that Mary addresses to everyone:   "Dear children, I am the mother of all of you and, therefore, do not be afraid because I hear your prayers. I know that you seek me and that is why I am praying to my Son for you, my Son who is united with the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit - the Paraclete - my Son who leads souls to the Kingdom from where He came, the Kingdom of peace and light. My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good. You, with pure and simple souls comprehend-even if sometimes you do not understand the words-and within yourselves you feel what the truth is.   My children, do not lose the truth and true life so as to follow the false one. By life in truth, the Kingdom of Heaven enters into your hearts, and that is the Kingdom of peace, love and harmony. Then, my children, there will not be the selfishness which distances you from my Son. There will be love and understanding for your neighbors. Because, remember, again I repeat to you, to pray also means to love others, your neighbors, and to give yourself to them. Love and give in my Son, and then He will work in you and for you. My children, ceaselessly think of my Son and love Him immeasurably and you will have true life, and that will be for eternity. Thank you, apostles of my love." You may watch the apparition on:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH7KhM0JWpg 2. The Anointing of the Sick. During a mission in Asia in 2011, I participated in a Mass during which the priest offered us the Sacrament of the Sick. As I had a problem with my cervical vertebra (upper spine) so I went forward, and after I received the Sacrament, I was healed. This pain never came back. Many people come to Medjugorje or Lourdes to ask Heaven for a healing. Many also pray for this intention. They are often willing to travel thousands of miles in order to meet a priest with a special gift, or even a "healer", to have their prayers answered. They forget that Christ Himself has left us a special Sacrament for the sick in which all His power unfolds, as it did in the time of His preaching: the Anointing of the Sick. Some are healed after receiving this Sacrament, others are given the strength to bear their suffering with Jesus. This Sacrament, which for a long time was called the Last Rights, is not just for the dying! Given its rightful place after the Second Vatican Council, it is offered to all those who suffer from a physical or psychic illness. This Sacrament is given along with the Sacrament of Reconciliation - a good confession with renunciation of sin - and the Eucharist, two Sacraments that can also bring healing. To anoint the sick, priests use the Oil of the Sick. All parishes have the in store this Oil of the Sick and it is desirable for this Sacrament to become better known to the faithful, and received more often. Let's not wait for the patient to be dying in agony before we offer it! Of course, the Blessed Mother willingly prays to her Son to heal us, but why not ask first for the Sacrament that He Himself offers us through His Church?  (See PS1) 3. Head-on clash between a Buddhist and the Living God Who is Mike Lim? Of Chinese origin, this man lived in Singapore. His faith was that of a convinced Buddhist, and he was fiercely anti-Catholic. Despite this, he had a good heart and loved his family dearly. His older sister, Violet, had been severely ill since her teenage years and her illness was incurable. Violet had to undergo a large number of operations. This was all done in vain as the illness and the pain were only getting worse: a real family nightmare. Mike could no longer stand to see her suffer like that, stuck in her wheelchair, without being able to help her. He had tried everything and was desperate. In June 1995, moved by so much suffering, a Catholic friend, Rose, dared to suggest to him that he take his sister to a Mass followed by a charismatic prayer of healing. After first refusing categorically, Mike felt he had nothing to lose and relented. Once in the church, he felt uncomfortable, as this kind of prayer seemed ridiculous to him. But during the prayer that followed the Mass, Rose, moved by the Spirit, whispered in his ear, "Come on, Mike! Ask Jesus to heal your sister!" Willing to 'play the game' for the sake of his sister, Mike went for it, and, for the first time in his life he addressed this unknown God: "Jesus, if you make her walk, I will believe in you!" Then, out of the blue, he saw the priest heading straight to Violet, laying his hands on her for a moment, in prayer. Then, with authority, out loud, the priest told her, "Now stand up!" And that was the moment when the impossible became reality... Mike's eyes opened wide! He saw Violet slowly getting up from her wheelchair, then walking, then running, and finally dancing in the church! Mike was absolutely stunned and moved to the very depths of his being! He couldn't help crying out, "My Goodness! He is alive! He is real!" Then he began to weep and sob, as he kept on repeating the same words: "He is alive! He's real!"  On that day his entire life turned upside down. This anti-Catholic was now eager to know everything about Jesus and the Catholic faith. He discovered the Bible and devoured it from A to Z in two months. He would read it for hours a day, like a thirsty man who has finally found the living water that quenches his thirst. His soul wanted the living God so much! He was baptized, as was his whole family. He entered seminary at the age of 38, and is now a priest of Jesus Christ in an Australian Catholic parish. He always says to his parishioners: "It took me 35 years to find the Living God, but you received Him from your childhood! And you want to get rid of Him? Listen to me: "Never abandon Him!" This same Mike Lim, who became Father Mikael, visited us recently in Medjugorje. He is also the one who gave us the Anointing of the Sick in Singapore in 2011, this Sacrament that allowed me to receive the important healing that I mentioned above. Yes, Jesus is alive! Our God is not a statue made by human hands, powerless to save anyone. He is real and alive, and His name is love! His name is "God saves", Yeshua!   4. A great disciple of Christ, Father Kevin Scallon, left to join the Father on June 25th, during the 37th anniversary of Our Lady's apparitions. Throughout his life as a priest, he tirelessly travelled the world to draw souls to God, especially to His Eucharistic presence. Endowed with inspired words and often the gift of healing, he frequently accompanied Sister Briege McKenna in her missions, thus saving a large number of priests, releasing them from all kinds of torments that the enemy can inflict upon "God's Chosen ones".  Father Kevin would stay with us for a few days almost every year in Medjugorje with Sr. Briege, counselling us and telling us stories. We loved him very much. To us he was a real father, radiating the face and the tender love of the Heavenly Father. One of our sisters said, "If I were to imagine the love of the Heavenly Father, I would compare him to Father Kevin's heart." Here is one of the most beautiful stories from his life, which describes so well his special closeness to God:   5. Christmas Eve. While Father Kevin was driving to his nephew's house to celebrate Christmas, his car broke down at 9pm. The car just would not start again but he was still an hour away from his nephew. It was Christmas Eve, and since he had left Dublin, he had not seen a single car or a living soul. In the glow of the moon, he saw a small house right in front of the place where the car was stuck. A light shone at the window. He decided to ask to use the phone to call his nephew. He opened the little white wooden fence, followed the path and knocked at the door, as there was no doorbell. A man looking rather young opened the door and greeted him warmly. Looking inside the house, he saw a young woman with a baby in her arms. She was holding the baby's head against her cheek. She smiled at Father Kevin who asked her husband if he could make a call. The young man replied, "We do not have a telephone, but if you walk back to the city, there is a bicycle salesman to the right of the supermarket, he will let you use the phone." "May I leave the car in front of your house?" asked Fr Kevin. "Of course, I will keep an eye on it," replied the man.  He thanked the couple and wished them a merry Christmas. So, on this beautiful night, in the moonlight, Fr Kevin walked all the way to the city to the bicycle shop. On the way, he kept thinking about his meeting with the couple and their baby, especially with that strange smell in the house. It did not smell like Ireland. Why did it remind him of his recent trip to the Holy Land? And why was the house only lit by candles? From the bicycle shop, Father Kevin was able to call his nephew who came to pick him up. The next day, they fixed the car with a local mechanic. When the work was done, Fr Kevin wanted to say hello to the young family living opposite, and walked to the little white wooden fence but he couldn't find it. There was only a hedge, and farther on, just a field, and no house as far as the eye could see. On the return trip, his nephew kept talking. Father Kevin, meanwhile, remained silent. It was the feast of the Holy Family... Hadn't he seen it with his own eyes?!   6. Mgr. Hoser arrived in Sarajevo on the 5th of July. He was able to meet several members of the local Church hierarchy, including Cardinal Pulic. He arrived in Medjugorje on the 6th. We are overjoyed by his blessed presence among us. Let us pray for him, and for the important task with which he has been entrusted by Pope Francis. May Our Lady and the Holy Spirit guide him! 7. After the summer break in July and August, the next Live Broadcast of my reflections on the message of the second of the month will be on September 3rd at 9pm.  The June 3rd broadcast can be found at:  http://www.enfantsdemedjugorje.fr/medjugorje-direct-du-3-juin-2018/ The broadcast of 26 June is at http://www.enfantsdemedjugorje.fr/medjugorje-direct-du-26-juin-2018-2/   Dearest Gospa, the day of your Triumph is getting closer, and already we rejoice with you! Please give us the strength to live the time that remains in defiance against the enemy's tricks, and help us shorten this difficult time by living your messages, especially with your dear "twin weapons" that are prayer and fasting with the heart! Sister Emmanuel + (Translated from French) PS1. All explanations about this Sacrament can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1499.   PS2. The parish has just experienced a wonderful retreat for priests, with more than 300 priests coming from all over the world.  Priests! Do not forget this powerful message that Mary gave to encourage you: "Dear Children, once again, I invite you to pray for your shepherds. By their side, I will triumph!" (Oct 2, 2010).   PS3. Since the Holy Father's intention for this month is to pray for priests, here is a beautiful prayer that we can all offer to God: "God Almighty and eternal, by the merits of your Son Jesus and because of your love for Him, have mercy on the priests of the Holy Church. Despite their sublime dignity, they are weak and are like your other creatures. Deign in your infinite mercy to give them the fire of holy love and ignite their hearts. Please rescue them: do not let them fall or lose their vocation. O Jesus, we beseech you: have pity on the priests of your church, of those who serve you faithfully, take care of your flock and let them glorify you... Have pity on the priests who are persecuted, in prison, abandoned, burdened with suffering... Have pity on the priests who are lukewarm and those who waver in their faith... Have pity on the sick or moribund priests... Have pity on the priests who are in purgatory. Lord Jesus, we beg you, grant our prayers, have mercy on the priests, they are yours; deign to enlighten them, to fortify them, to comfort them! O Jesus, we entrust to you the priests of the whole world, but please take special care of those priests who baptized and absolved me; of those who, for me, offered the Holy Sacrifice and consecrated the host to nourish my soul. I entrust to you the priests who have dispelled my doubts, straightened my weaknesses, directed my efforts, and comforted my sorrows: For them all, in remembrance of these blessings I implore your help and your mercy. Amen.                             Mgr. Kiung + Former bishop of Shanghai   PS4. "Truly Sister Emmanuel's Best Work Yet!" The Second Printing is Here! Order Today! https://sremmanuel.org/product/scandalous-mercy-god-goes-beyond-boundaries/ PS5. Our next missions, the fruit of which will depend a lot on your intercession: Asia in July, Spain in September, South America in November, Dubai in January, God willing! PS6. Come or send a young person to the most beautiful Youth Festival, from 1 to 6 August in Medjugorje! PS7. Follow the evening program of the parish of Medjugorje, translated into all languages. See the parish site at: http://www.centremedjugorje.org/  PS8. At home, pray the Rosary on Apparition Hill with Sr. Emmanuel (in French)! She is waiting for you on our site, http://imedj.net/index.php/2016/02/29/chapelet-les-mysteres-douloureux-sur-la-colline/ PS9. Sign up to receive the 'Monthly reports from Medjugorje' by Sr. Emmanuel   French (the original copy): gospa.fr@gmail.com English: commentscom@gmail.com German: wolfgang@trautmann.ca   Italian: gospa.italia@gmail.com Spanish: gospa.espanol@gmail.com Flemish: gclaes@scarlet.be Croatian:  djeca.medjugorja@gmail.com  Portuguese: medjugorje.portugal@gmail.com Chinese:  ch.gospa@gmail.com Arabic: friendsofmary@live.com   Children of Medjugorje, INC, PO Box 18430, Denver, CO 80218

Mary TV: July 9, 2018 Reflection - You are given the freedom to choose...P.3

 

(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

July 9, 2018
St, Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
Dear Family of Mary

"...My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good..." (July 2, 2018)

The Cardinal Virtues help us to build habits of acting that lead to the good. They give us the means to choose the good in our everyday life. But there are other virtues that are necessary in this process, in fact they precede the Cardinal virtues. They are the basis of our relationship to God. They are the Theological Virtues, and are given to us by God, infused, to help us draw close to Him.

Here is what the Catechism says about the first Theological Virtue, Faith:   

II. The Theological Virtues

1812 The human virtues are rooted in the theological virtues, which adapt man's faculties for participation in the divine nature: (2 Pet: 1:4) for the theological virtues relate directly to God. They dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They have the One and Triune God for their origin, motive, and object.

 

1813 The theological virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity; they animate it and give it its special character. They inform and give life to all the moral virtues. They are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life. They are the pledge of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of the human being. There are three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity 1 Cor 13:13)

 

Faith

1814 Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith "man freely commits his entire self to God." For this reason, the believer seeks to know and do God's will. "The righteous shall live by faith." Living faith "work(s) through charity." (Rom 1:17)  

 

1815 The gift of faith remains in one who has not sinned against it. But "faith apart from works is dead": (Jas 2:26) when it is deprived of hope and love, faith does not fully unite the believer to Christ and does not make him a living member of his Body.

1816 The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it: "All however must be prepared to confess Christ before men and to follow him along the way of the Cross, amidst the persecutions which the Church never lacks." Service of and witness to the faith are necessary for salvation: "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Mt 10:32-33)  

 

Faith gives us the fundamental believe in God that commits us to all that the Lord has told us, all that the Church says to us, so that we can become united with God and one with Him. Faith is the portal through which we enter into the life of God. Our Lady gave a very powerful message about faith, which echoes this description in the Catechism.

 

March 25, 1997 "Dear children! Today, in a special way, I invite you to take the cross in the hands and to meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Ask of Jesus to heal your wounds, which you, dear children, during your life sustained because of your sins or the sins of your parents. Only in this way, dear children, you will understand that the world is in need of healing of faith in God the Creator. By Jesus' passion and death on the cross, you will understand that only through prayer you, too, can become true apostles of faith; when, in simplicity and prayer, you live faith which is a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Our Lady tells us to take the Cross and meditate on the wounds of Jesus. The Cross becomes a mirror in which we see our wounds, those interior wounds that we have received in our families, back through the generations. We see all the pain we have caused others and the pain they have inflicted on us, and we realize at last how much we need Jesus. We see how much we need to return to our Creator, who is the only one who can heal us. This is Faith!

Then once we see our wounds and our need for healing, we realize how much the whole world is reeling under the weight of sin, millions of wounded souls who need Faith. That is when we can become apostles of Faith, those who communicate with their lives that God is real and that He loves us. God can heal us and He wants very much to do so. This is then the victory of Faith!!
Yes, Faith is a gift! And it is a powerful virtue, because is connects us with our God who loves us. Through Faith we are healed. And when we witness about that Faith we become part of the healing of the world, even when we are persecuted. In simplicity and prayer may we become Apostles of Faith!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2018

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: July 6, 2018 Reflection - You are given the freedom to choose...P.2

    

(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

July 6, 2018
St. Maria Goretti
First Friday

 

Dear Family of Mary!

"...My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good..." (July 2, 2018)

Here is something to chew on over the weekend about virtue, about choosing the good. It is again from "The Catechism of the Catholic Church", Part Three, Section One, Chapter One, Article 7, 1. The Human Virtues:

The cardinal virtues   

1805 Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal"; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. "If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage." (Wis 8:7) These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

1806 Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going." (Prov. 14:15) "Keep sane and sober for your prayers."(1 Pet 4:7) Prudence is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. (St. Thomas Aquinas)It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. the prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

1807 Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. the just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor."(Lev 19:15)"Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."(Col 4:1)

1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. the virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my strength and my song."(Ps 118:14) "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."(Jn 16:33)

1809 Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. the temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart."(Sir 5:2) Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites."(Sir 18:30) In the New Testament it is called "moderation" or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."(Titus 2:12)

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only (God) (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence)(St. Augustine)

The virtues and grace

1810 Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. the virtuous man is happy to practice them.

1811 It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil.

 

Oh I love to read these words, knowing that Our Lady is asking this of us. She wants us to choose the good, habitually!! She wants us to train our hearts and minds to be more and more holy, like hers. Why? Because this is the way to true happiness!

   

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

 

Cathy Nolan

 

© Mary TV 2018





"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: July 5, 2018 Reflection - You are given the freedom to choose...

   

(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

July 5, 2018
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Dear Family of Mary!

"...My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good..." (July 2, 2018)

Our Lady often reminds us that we are free. God has created us with autonomous wills. We must choose the way we will go in life. In fact, our lives are filled each day with choices. And she wants us to practice choosing the good, always!
Mother Church teaches us about our freedom and our choices in The Catechism of the Catholic Church. In Part Three, Section One, Chapter One, the Catechism explains the dignity of the Human Person. In Article 7 it talks about the virtues (those habits that orient us towards the good) in this way:

1803 "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."(Phil. 4:8)

A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions.

The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. (St. Gregory of Nissa)

1804 Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good.

The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love.

As Our Lady implores us, let's desire to choose the good, using our God-given freedom for the good!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2018

 

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: July 4, 2018 Reflection - "I am praying to my Son for you..."

  

(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2018

July 4, 2018
Dear Family of Mary!

"...I know that you seek me and that is why I am praying to my Son for you, my Son who is united with the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit-the Paraclete-my Son who leads souls to the Kingdom from where He came, the Kingdom of peace and light..." (July 2, 2018) 

Our Lady tells us that she knows we are seeking her. Those of us who go to Medjugorje, and who live her messages, are indeed seeking her. We want very much to know our Mother, and live with her as her children. And she wants that too.
But having Mary as our Mother means a great deal more than just having her motherly care. It means that we become those who seek Jesus, because Mary will only lead us to Jesus. He is everything to her. There is no separation. That is why she tells us that she will pray to her Son for us. She takes our desire for her, and through it leads us directly to Jesus, who is her sole desire as well.
St. Louis de Montfort understood Mary to be the best and surest way to Jesus. "True Devotion to Mary" is all about Mary leading us to Jesus. He wrote in paragraph 50:

Since she is the sure means, the direct and immaculate way to Jesus and the perfect guide to Him, it is through her that souls who are to shine forth in sanctity must find Him. He who finds Mary finds life, that is, Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. But no one can find Mary who does not look for her. No one can look for her who does not know her, for no one seeks or desires something unknown. Mary then must be better known than ever for the deeper understanding and the greater glory of the Blessed Trinity.

In these latter times Mary must shine forth more than ever in mercy, power and grace; in mercy, to bring back and welcome lovingly the poor sinners and wanderers who are to be converted and return to the Catholic Church; in power, to combat the enemies of God who will rise up menacingly to seduce and crush by promises and threats all those who oppose them; finally, she must shine forth in grace to inspire and support the valiant soldiers and loyal servants of Jesus Christ who are fighting for His cause. (n50. True Devotion to Mary)

Mary always leads us to Jesus who in turn will lead us to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and to heaven. St. Louis is inspired when he says that to find Jesus, in these days, souls much find Mary.  That means they must be told about her.  She needs apostles who will lead souls to her, so she can lead those souls to Jesus.  In these latter days, Mary has been sent on a rescue mission for all of us, because these are the final days of spiritual warfare, in which many souls are in danger of being lost forever. She must be made know, so that she can make Jesus known. She is the light bearer in our times.
Our Lady prays for us to her Son, and her Son asks us to make His Mother more known, so that all souls in danger will find their way to Him through Mary. That is the plan of salvation in these most terrible times. Mary is the sure way to Jesus. We are on that way. May we show others that way as well.
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2018

 

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