April 7, 2020 Reflection – Return to prayer and fasting!

Dear Family of Mary!

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.”

Our Lady calls to us to “Return to my Son…” Return to Jesus. If there is any distance between our souls and Jesus, we must turn and go back, find our way to Jesus and get as close as possible to him. This is of course the impulse of Lent. But it is also the deep sense we have during this pandemic. We are much more aware of our temporality. We are not going to live forever, and the end seems to be much more tangible now. “Return to my Son…” Our Lady says it almost as a command, a warning.

We draw ever nearer to the Triduum. Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection are coming like a freight train. Are we ready? Have we turned back to our Savior?

Let us pray:

Psalm 32

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I declared not my sin, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. [Selah]

I acknowledged my sin to thee,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;
then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. [Selah]

Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to thee;
at a time of distress, in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.

Thou art a hiding place for me,
thou preservest me from trouble;
thou dost encompass me with deliverance. [Selah]

I will instruct you and teach you
the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not keep with you.

Many are the pangs of the wicked;
but steadfast love surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

“Return to my Son; return to prayer and fasting.”