THE MEDJUGORJE WITNESS

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ When the disciples heard this they were astonished. ‘Who can be saved, then?’ they said. Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he told them ‘this is impossible; for God everything is possible.’

 

Matthew 19 : 23-26

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Whether at Naishapur or Babylon,

Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run,

The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,

The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.

 

• The Rubáyát of Omar Khayyám, VIII, translation, Edward FitzGerald

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Dear children! Pray in this time of grace and seek the intercession of all the saints who are already in the light.  From day to day may they be an example and encouragement to you on the way of your conversion.  Little children, be aware that your life is short and passing. Therefore, yearn for eternity and keep preparing your hearts in prayer.  I am with you and intercede before my Son for each of you, especially for those who have consecrated themselves to me and to my Son. Thank you for having responded to my call.

 

Medjugorje Message, October 25, 2014

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I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

 

Leviticus 26:12

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Dear children! God gives me this time as a gift to you, so that I may instruct and lead you on the path of salvation. Dear children, now you do not comprehend this grace, but soon a time will come when you will lament for these messages. That is why, little children, live all of the words which I have given you through this time of grace and renew prayer, until prayer becomes a joy for you. Especially, I call all those who have consecrated themselves to my Immaculate Heart to become an example to others. I call all priests and religious brothers and sisters to pray the rosary and to teach others to pray. The rosary, little children, is especially dear to me. Through the rosary open your heart to me and I am able to help you. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, August 25, 1997

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus surprises us with His words : “I have not come to bring peace, but division” (Luke 12: 51). This “division” is not conflict for its own sake, but the natural result of choosing God’s will over the world’s expectations. Allegiance to Christ may set us apart – even from those closest to us – because our loyalty to Him must come first.

 

A living example is Binta Farouk, a former Muslim who once said she took pleasure in the suffering of Christians. After encountering Jesus in a vision, she gave her life to Him. The cost was great – her husband left with their children, she lost her job, her father had her imprisoned on false charges, and her family denied her rights. Her life was constantly threatened as she ran the Tabitha Evangelistic Ministry, a safe home [in Nigeria] for converts rejected by their families.

 

Binta’s story reminds us that following Jesus may divide us from the world and from our families, but it unites us forever with Him – and that is worth everything.

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• Fr Hilary Ifeanyi Basil OSA

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The Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying: I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross into it.” There in the land of Moab, Moses the servant of the Lord died as the Lord decreed; he buried him in the valley, in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but to this day no one has ever found his grave. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye undimmed, his vigour unimpaired. Deuteronomy 34 : 4-7

 

• Detail from the Testament and Death of Moses, 1481-82, Signorelli Luca, Sistine Chapel

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Some years ago I started to make a study of a painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna. It was one of his later works completed towards the end of his life, probably during the latter part of 1498, and titled Parnassus.

 

It focuses on the Roman deities Mars and Venus. Other pagan deities are also featured; and as I had no knowledge of Roman or Greek mythology, I had to familiarise myself with some of the attributes associated with these mythical figures.

 

It brought to mind the question: Do I ever apply myself to studying the attributes of Jesus in the same way or devote my time to learning and understanding all that Jesus has to give?

 

The New Testament is the greatest written source for giving light to all aspects of Jesus, human and divine. Then there are the hearts of others, made in his image and likeness, when I am reminded that the glory of God is not reserved only in heaven but is visible and experienced on earth as well.

 

The Greeks and the Romans of antiquity had gods for their every need and desire. I’ve have yet to come across one who proclaimed it was gentle and humble in heart.

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• Parnassus, Andrea Mantegna, Louvre Museum, Paris

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On a Christmas night, sick in bed and immersed in prayer, contemplating the sacred action unfolding in the Porziuncola – the heart of the friars’ community – Clare was given a vision of the rites as they unfolded. She saw the celebration in a vision that appeared on the wall of her cell. It was owing to this miraculous occurrence, that Pius XII made her patroness of television. Clare died on August 11, 1253, on the bare floor of San Damiano. On her lips, the last thanksgiving: “Go securely and in peace, my blessed soul. The One who created you and made you holy has always loved you tenderly as a mother her dear child. And you, Lord, are blessed because You have created me.” Unprecedented numbers of people took part in her funeral, and Alexander IV proclaimed her a Saint only two years later.

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Source: Vatican News

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Dear children! Today is a day of peace, but in the whole world there is a great lack of peace. That is why I call you all to build a new world of peace with me through prayer. This I cannot do without you, and this is why I call all of you with my motherly love and God will do the rest. So, open yourselves to God's plan and to His designs to be able to cooperate with Him for peace and for everything that is good. Do not forget that your life does not belong to you, but is a gift with which you must bring joy to others and lead them to eternal life. May the tenderness of the little Jesus always accompany you. Thank you for having responded to my call. 

 

Part Medjugorje Message, December 25, 1992

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Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.

 

Hebrews 4 : 16

 

Dear children! You are the ones responsible for the messages. The source of grace is here, but you, dear children, are the vessels which transport the gifts. Therefore, dear children, I am calling you to do your job with responsibility. Each one shall be responsible according to his own ability. Dear children, I am calling you to give the gifts to others with love, and not to keep them for yourselves. Thank you for having responded to my call.

 

Medjugorje Message, May 8, 1986

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