Day: July 12, 2024

…my children are being persecuted   July 12, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! As I prayed about this reflection, I heard the word “persecution”. It is not a word I like to think about. But I felt Our Lady gently urging me pray about it. I first went to the Gospel for today, and found that it was all about persecution. Jesus did not hide anything from his disciples. They and we all must be ready for persecution! “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.” (Matthew 10:16-23, RSV-CE) I must admit I can hardly read this scripture, it frightens me so much. Jesus describes the great suffering that His disciples would experience as they carried the Good News of Christ into the world. So much suffering! But also such great opportunities to share the Gospel. And as we see, these words of Jesus have proven true from one generation to the next down to our day! Here is a message from Our Lady in which she talks about persecution as well: December 2, 2016 “Dear children, my motherly heart is crying as I am looking at what my children are doing. Sins are multiplying, the purity of soul is all the less important; my Son is being forgotten – honored all the less; and my children are being persecuted. That is why, you my children, apostles of my love, with soul and heart invoke the name of my Son. He will have the words of light for you. He manifests Himself to you, He breaks the bread with you and gives you the words of love so that you may transform them into merciful acts and, thus, be witnesses of truth. That is why, my children, do not be afraid. Permit my Son to be in you. He will make use of you to care for the wounded and to convert lost souls. Therefore, my children, return to the prayer of the Rosary. Pray it with feelings of goodness, sacrifice and mercy. Pray, not only with words, but with merciful acts… Pray with love for all people. My Son, by His sacrifice, exalted love. Therefore, live with Him so that you may have strength and hope; that you may have the love which is life and which leads to eternal life. Through God’s love, I am also with you, and will lead you with motherly love. Thank you..” (Mirjana said that Our Lady was very sad.) Mother Mary shows us the way to live with hope and love in our day, even though persecutions are growing, and suffering is close by. Let’s really take her words to heart. She has been given to us, to help us meet the challenges of our day. We are not alone! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV. TV