May 8, 2020 Reflection – This is a time of gratitude!!
(c) Mary TV 2020 This is a time of gratitude… May 8, 2020 Dear Family of Mary! On May 4, Our Lady gave Ivan Dragicevic a message for all of us, for the world. Here is the translation from Croatian that Ivan himself offered to us. It is a little different from the one I sent out yesterday. I am happy to have this version from Ivan. “Dear children, this is a time of gratitude. Today I ask love from you. Don’t look for faults in others and don’t judge others. I expect you to love and to spread the truth because the truth is eternal, constant and always up to date. Bring the light of my Son. Drive out the darkness that wants to seize you more and take you far away from my Son, Jesus. Don’t worry, I am with you. Thank you for responding to my call. (May 4, 2020) When I first read this message, I felt a great weight lift from my heart. I think that sometimes we can feel the heaviness of the world’s problems on our shoulders. We all care, we want to help. But it seems to be too much to even imagine. But Our Lady gave us the correct approach to this moment in history. The first thing she told us is the key: “Dear children, this is a time of gratitude.” Immediately my heart could breathe again. This is a time of gratitude!! It is not a time of fear. It is not a time of struggle. It is not a time of sadness or disillusionment. NO. This is a time of gratitude. Gratitude is the key to finding the truth of this moment. And what does gratitude tell us? It tells us God is real. God is all mighty. God created us. We are creatures. God created time. He is the master of time. He has given us this time to live. We live because He wills it. Our lives are only good and happy when they are oriented to Him. We don’t carry the troubles of the whole world. Jesus has already done that. Well, the list can go on and on. And it is a good list. Because it puts us in our place. We are the children of God and He is our Father and He is all powerful and all mighty and He loves us. Our Lady has been calling us to gratitude throughout her time in Medjugorje. She knows what a powerful weapon gratitude is. Remember her Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” (Luke 1:46-49) Here are five messages in which Our Lady calls us to gratitude. Maybe we can pray a Rosary of Gratitude today and let the power of thanksgiving flow into our hearts! August 25, 1988 “Dear children! Today I invite you all to rejoice in the life which God gives you. Little children, rejoice in God, the Creator, because He has created you so wonderfully. Pray that your life be joyful thanksgiving which flows out of your heart like a river of joy. Little children, give thanks unceasingly for all that you possess, for each little gift which God has given you, so that a joyful blessing always comes down from God upon your life. Thank you for having responded to my call.” August 25, 1999 “Dear children! Also today I call you to give glory to God the Creator in the colors of nature. He speaks to you also through the smallest flower about His beauty and the depth of love with which He has created you. Little children, may prayer flow from your hearts like fresh water from a spring. May the wheat fields speak to you about the mercy of God towards every creature. That is why, renew prayer of thanksgiving for everything He gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” October 25, 2002 “Dear children! Also today I call you to prayer. Little children, believe that by simple prayer miracles can be worked. Through your prayer you open your heart to God and He works miracles in your life. By looking at the fruits, your heart fills with joy and gratitude to God for everything He does in your life and, through you, also to others. Pray and believe little children, God gives you graces and you do not see them. Pray and you will see them. May your day be filled with prayer and thanksgiving for everything that God gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” August 25, 2006 “Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray. Only in prayer will you be near to me and my Son and you will see how short this life is. In your heart a desire for Heaven will be born. Joy will begin to rule in your heart and prayer will begin to flow like a river. In your words there will only be thanksgiving to God for having created you and the desire for holiness will become a reality for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” November 25, 2016 “Dear children! Also today, I am calling you to return to prayer. In this time of grace, God has permitted me to lead you towards holiness and a simple life – that in little things you discover God the Creator; that you fall in love with Him; and that your life be a thanksgiving to the Most High for everything He is giving you. Little children, in love, may your life be a gift for others and God will bless you; but you, witness without interest – out of love for God. I am with you and intercede before my Son for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call…” Thank you dearest Mother for teaching us gratitude. May our hearts overflow with thanksgiving to God and our lives become a joyful gift of gratitude to Him. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2020 PS. Let’s remember to pray this short but powerful prayer to the Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit and we shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful, grant by the same Spirit that we will be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.