November 5, 2018
Dear Family of Mary!
“Dear children! My motherly heart suffers as I am looking at my children who do not love the truth, those who are hiding it-as I look at my children who do not pray with their feelings and actions. I am sad as I am saying to my Son that many of my children no longer have faith, that they do not know Him-my Son…” (November 2, 2018)
It is very sad to see our loved ones wander from the faith. It is heart-breaking to watch them walk away from the Sacraments. In this day we are all bearing that sadness that Our Lady talks about. She suffers with us as our Mother. She feels everything that we feel. She compassionates with us. And she loves all those who are losing their faith. Not only that, her heart seizes with pain at the thought of the loss of one soul. She is such a true mother.
Her words remind me of something Jesus said to His disciples in the Gospel of Luke:
And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily.
Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18: 1-8)
Jesus describes a widow who approaches a judge who was very hard headed. He was a judge who was not afraid of anyone, and could not be swayed. But this widow was also someone who was hard headed. She would not give up until her plea was heard. And she won! The judge listened to her case.
And what was her case? “Vindicate me against my adversary.” I wonder if this widow could be styled after Our Lady? She was a widow when Jesus was teaching the people. And she had and has an adversary, the devil. Could it be that Our Lady stands before the Judge (the Father) and will not stop interceding for her children while asking that her adversary be sent away empty handed?
Of course, Jesus says that this Judge will vindicate her simply because she is dauntless. Our Lady is dauntless. She will not leave us undefended. Her love is strong! Our Mother stands before the Father with Jesus, interceding for us! She says: “I am sad as I am saying to my Son that many of my children no longer have faith, that they do not know Him-my Son.” She shares her heart with Jesus, and He in turns shares her plea with the Father. But she won’t give up, and neither should we.
In fact, Jesus says to us: “And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily.” He encourages us to pray day and night, and not give up hope. God will answer us, just as He will answer our Mother.
But the last line of this parable is the one that is chilling:
“Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Don’t we all feel this question deep in our hearts! Certainly, if Jesus could say it, it must be possible that the faith will die out. Possible, yes. But probable? No!! With such a Mother as we have, it will not happen. If she won’t give up before the Judge, she will not give up before each of our hearts. She will plead her case before each of us, and all those who have wandered, constantly and patiently until the very last moment. Because Our Lady is with us, Jesus will find faith when He returns. He will find His faithful, waiting for Him with Our Lady by our side!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2018