“This time is a turning point”
(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017 J.M.J. June 9, 2017 St. Ephrem Dear Family of Mary! “This time is a turning point. That is why I am calling you anew to faith and hope. I am showing you the way by which you need to go, and those are the words of the Gospel…” Our Lady tells us that the time we are in right now, our present moment, is a “turning point.” There is something important going on right now. I thought it would help to examine the meaning of “turning point”, at least in English. The translators chose it purposefully. Here are four definitions that I found helpful: “A point at which a significant change occurs” (Merriam-Webster). Notice that it is a “significant” change, something important, something pivotal. “The time at which a situation starts to change in an important way” (Dictionary.com). Again, we see that it is an important change that occurs at a turning point. “A turning point is a specific, significant moment when something begins to change” (Vocabulary.com). This meaning suggests that we can look back in history and mark a specific moment when our life changed, or a nation changed, etc. Like the day you met your best friend. I like this definition, as it gives us the perspective needed. We won’t know what change has been initiated until time has passed. But our actions now are important. “A time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results” (Oxford Dictionary). Now this is the definition that caught my attention. Not only is the change decisive, it is beneficial. A turning point involves a moment when something changes for the better! From Our Lady’s view point, she sees a great deal more than we do. She knows the spiritual forces at work, and she knows the human factors involved. Whatever is changing, we need to follow her advice at this moment, this decisive moment. We will only understand later. Now is the time to trust her guidance and follow her lead. So what does she tell us to do? What is her advice? She calls us to build up our faith and our hope. This is no time to become despondent or depressed. We need to wake up our hearts to her call, and believe in her Son with all our hearts. And where should we go? We should go the way of all the saints of our Christian history, we should live the words of Jesus, the words of the Gospel. Jesus is the Way. We have to follow in His footsteps. No matter what change takes place, this will always be the best response. Maybe we will be positive forces in this moment, this turning point, if we follow Our Lady’s call. Maybe we will influence this turning point by our love, our hope, our faith, our fidelity to Jesus. It is certain that our prayer will make a difference. So together, let’s respond to Our Lady’s call at this turning point! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2017