“Dear children! Be prayer and a reflection of God’s love for all those who are far from God and God’s commandments. Little children, be faithful and determined in conversion and work on yourselves so that, for you, holiness of life may be truth; and encourage each other in the good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more pleasant. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
(c) Mateo Ivankovic 2017 J.M.J. July 28, 2017 Dear Family of Mary! “Dear children! Be prayer and a reflection of God’s love for all those who are far from God and God’s commandments. Little children, be faithful and determined in conversion and work on yourselves so that, for you, holiness of life may be authentic; and encourage each other in the good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more pleasant. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (July 25, 2017) “Be…a reflection of God’s love…” Our Lady asks us to be a reflection of God’s love. I wanted to have an accurate understanding of what it means to be a reflection of God’s love. Here is the best definition I could find: A reflection is “something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else – often + of” (Learnersdictionary.com) I think this is what Our Lady is getting at. She wants us to be those who show the effect, existence and/or character of God. She wants us to show the effect of God’s presence in our lives. His love, His forgiveness, His kindness and providence make us peaceful and joyful. His love heals our broken hearts and makes us whole. The Truth He teaches us helps us to love others and show reverence for life. All of these things are the effect of God’s presence in our lives. Through our ongoing prayer life and dependence upon God, we show that God exists. Our relationship with the Lord is real. We relate to Him and He to us, in such a way that one can perceive Him! Testimonies of conversion and miracles in people’s lives show that God is real, and is with us in a concrete way to save us. God exists, because He has loved us and changed us! And God’s character becomes evident when we live as His children. When we love, forgive others, pray and intercede for our neighbors, serve the needs of our families and friends, live honest lives, are chaste and faithful in marriage and single life, we show God’s character. He respects us, each individually, and never forces His way on us or uses us. When we live in His presence and learn His ways, we show this same respect and patient love for our neighbors. This makes His character known. We reflect God’s love in these ways. Because God is love. When we experience the effect of God’s presence in our lives, encounter God’s existence in our relationship with Him, and become models of His character through imitation of His ways, we ultimately reflect love!! We become what we behold. We become like the One we love! We become one with the One who loves us! Our Lady said it so well: “I am with you and I unceasingly pray for you that your life may be a reflection of Heaven here on earth.” (April 25, 2011) When we are living as a reflection of the Lord, we will be living Heaven on earth!! We will be Heaven on earth for others. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2017 PS. We have a temporary schedule change to announce: From July 27 to August 6, 2017: Hour of Mercy will be canceled Daily Rosary will be live at 3:00 pm Medj time (9:00 am EDT) This will make way for the youth festival and for some work issues in Medjugorje!