Put prayer in the first place in your families!
August 29, 2022
The Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Dear Family of Mary!
“The Passion of Saint John the Baptist reveals that to die for the truth is not to die in vain. John the Baptist’s courageous preaching about the truth of marriage earned him imprisonment and death – but now he reigns gloriously with Christ who conquered death!” (From Magnificat, p 408, August 2022)
When I read these words, I was struck with how things have not changed over 2000 years. Even today, God’s truth about the family is greatly opposed. And many have suffered for speaking the truth.
Herod had married his brother’s wife. John the Baptist tried to persuade him to stop living in adultery but when that failed, God led him to proclaim it publicly. John was beheaded. Speaking the truth about marriage and the family continues to call forth animosity in our day. It is one of the issue that has torn our countries apart.
Our Lady told Lucia of Fatima that “The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family…” Sr. Lucia revealed this to Cardinal Caffarra in one of her last letters (a letter that has since gone missing from the Vatican Archives). Don’t we see this today? But she also said, “Don’t be afraid, because anyone who works for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be fought and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue.” And she concluded, “However Our Lady has already crushed its head.”
Our Lady in Medjugorje has been healing and strengthening marriages from the beginning of her apparitions. How many families have been reunited and blessed!! We will never have a count. But the Five Stones are a roadmap for our families to grow in holiness and joy!
It cannot be forgotten that Our Lady first appeared in Medjugorje on June 24, 1981, which is the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Her work in Medjugorje is associated with the prophetic work of St. John the Baptist. And by extension to St. Elijah! They both were prophets of the Lord declaring the truth to a fallen world. And Our Lady has come today to take up their prophetic role for us.
So today, on this feast day of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, let’s take up our weapons and fight for the sanctity of marriage, the family, and life: let’s pray the Rosary!
Here are five of Our Lady’s messages in which she gives sound advice for the family. Use them as meditations during your Rosary:
April 25, 1996 “Dear children! Today I invite you again to put prayer in the first place in your families. Little children, when God is in the first place, then you will, in all that you do, seek the will of God. In this way your daily conversion will become easier. Little children, seek with humility that which is not in order in your hearts, and you shall understand what you have to do. Conversion will become a daily duty that you will do with joy. Little children, I am with you, I bless you all and I invite you to become my witnesses by prayer and personal conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
April 25, 2005 “Dear children! Also today, I call you to renew prayer in your families. By prayer and the reading of Sacred Scripture, may the Holy Spirit, who will renew you, enter into your families. In this way, you will become teachers of the faith in your family. By prayer and your love, the world will set out on a better way and love will begin to rule in the world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
January 25, 2020 “Dear children! Today I am calling you to pray even more, until you feel the holiness of forgiveness in your heart. There must be holiness in the families, little children, because there is no future for the world without love and holiness – because in holiness and joy, you give yourselves to God the Creator who loves you with immeasurable love. This is why He sends me to you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
March 25, 2020 “Dear children! I am with you all these years to lead you to the way of salvation. Return to my Son; return to prayer and fasting. Little children, permit God to speak to your heart, because Satan is reigning and wants to destroy your lives and the earth on which you walk. Be courageous and decide for holiness. You will see conversion in your hearts and families; prayer will be heard; God will hear your cries and give you peace. I am with you and am blessing you all with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
December 25, 2006 (Jakov) “Today is a great day of joy and peace. Rejoice with me. Little children, in a special way, I call you to holiness in your families. I desire, little children, that each of your families be holy and that God’s joy and peace, which God sends you today in a special way, may come to rule and dwell in your families. Little children, open your hearts today on this day of grace, decide for God and put Him in the first place in your family. I am your Mother. I love you and give you my Motherly Blessing.”
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
