My children, set out with me…
(c)Anthony Zubac/Mary TV 2018 My children, set out with me… Parishioners climbing Apparition Hill for the Sunday Rosary February 12, 2019 Dear Family of Mary! “…As a mother I am saying to you: set out with me, love one another, give witness. Do not be afraid, with your example, to defend the truth-the Word of God which is eternal and never changes. My children, whoever acts in the light of merciful love and truth is always helped by Heaven and is not alone…” (February 2, 2019) Our Mother is not raising a bunch of wimps! She has been speaking to us for almost 38 years, encouraging us, teaching us, reprimanding us, comforting us, challenging us, and leading us in the ways of truth and love. She has been investing herself in us because she needs us in this plan for the salvation of the world. Her plans are broad enough to include every soul on earth. And so, she really needs a big family helping her with this task. She lists several things that we can do to be ready to help her in the small section of the February 2, 2019 message quoted above. These are ways we can help her to reach her children who do not yet know her or her Son, Jesus: “Set out with me..” We are no good to Our Lady standing still. She needs children who are ready to move, to follow her. To set out on a journey of love and encounter that will bring us into contact with others who need the good news. “Love one another…” If we are going to work with Mother Mary, we must realize that the most important work we do is to love our neighbor, to love one another. As St. Paul said in 1Corinthians 13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Cor 13:1-3) “Give witness…” Each of us has experienced something beautiful that Our Lady has done just for us. A special grace or healing that she has provided through her intercession for us. This is what we can share with others, what we can witness to others. First hand witness carries the power of the grace received and shares it with others. No gift is too small to be meaningful to others. Even the smallest sign from God can change hearts. “Do not be afraid…” Fear turns our eyes inward, where we see our own weaknesses and imperfections. Fear makes us doubt ourselves and then doubt God. Fear creates an inner panic that jumbles our minds and confuses our thoughts. Fear is not from God. “Do not be afraid, with your example, to defend the truth-the Word of God which is eternal and never changes…” In our world today, the Word of God is held in derision and the moral and theological truths are negated. It could seem daunting to publicly stand for these truths, but with our example we can do it. Just by living a true Christian life, we can witness without words. Our lives will shine with joy, and the truth will be seen for what it is, the life of heaven. “My children, whoever acts in the light of merciful love and truth is always helped by Heaven and is not alone…” These words speak for themselves. As Christians throughout the ages have known, God is near to those who do not deny Him. He helps those who witness the truth. He blesses those who stand with Him. The Holy Spirit remains with them to encourage and strengthen them in all things. Our Lady has big plans for us. She needs us to be her apostles of love in these difficult times. She has high hopes for us and she will stand by our side always. We can rely on her guidance. She is an expert! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2019