Monday, December 31, 2012

From Mark Mallett: Global Revolution!

Global Revolution!

 

WHEN I wrote about Revolution! two years ago, it was not a word being used much in the mainstream. But today, it is being spoken everywhere… and now, the words “global revolutionare rippling throughout the world. From the “Tea Party” revolution in the United States to the uprisings in the Middle East that are spreading like “a virus,” there is indeed a global upheaval underway.

I will rouse Egypt against Egypt: brother will war against brother, neighbour against neighbour, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. (Isaiah 19:2)

But it is a Revolution that has been in the making for a very long time…

Read more… »

Published in: | on December 31st, 2012 | 4 Comments » Print This Post

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Terrorists Slashing Throats of Nigerian-Christians -- A 'Save -Our -Souls' Cry to White House and President Obama


Statement by the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN on the 2012 Christmas day attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria

NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- We had warned that Boko Haram would continue its tradition of killing Nigerian Christians on Christmas day. Last week marked the third straight year that the terror group has murdered Nigerian Christians in the church on a Christmas day.

But the problem is worse than that. This year alone Boko Haram has killed almost 800 Nigerians, most of whom are Christians. In the last three years, over 3000 have been sent to tragic deaths. Victims also include people from several other countries.

The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan again over the weekend acknowledged his government's inability so far to quell the Boko Haram attacks. According to the Associated Press, Jonathan's remarks offer a glimpse into "the worried leader's mind as his weak government remains unable to stop attacks by the Boko Haram."

Our government in Washington DC, especially the White House and the State Department are fully aware of what is going on. But both President Barack Obama and outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have simply tolerated this impunity by their inaction.

Already, American citizens have been affected, and the United Nations building in Abuja has been attacked by this terrorists. The US Congress have affirmed that Boko Haram is a threat to the US, especially with the group's suspected links to al-Qaida.

On Christmas day in northern Nigeria, Boko Haram was busy slashing the throats of Christians right inside their churches or at their homes. At least 15 of such barbaric killings have been reported in the past number of days. Worshippers had to watch in terror as their colleagues throats were cut off!

We are asking today: is President Barack Obama and the State Department comfortable to be a mere witness to this evil? Is President Obama not aware that they are cutting the throats of innocent Nigerians who are simply practicing their faith?

In the hope that President Obama is not comfortable with what is going on, we as Nigerian-Americans, are appealing to his humanity to please instruct the State Department to do what is right and to label the Boko Haram group an FTO.

Such a designation would send the warning signal to those financing and supporting the terrorists that the game is up. Without it, Boko Haram financiers and supporters are being dangerously awarded a grant of impunity.

Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN 
PO Box 1041
Bay Shore, NY 11706

 

Mary TV Daily Reflection 12/31/2012

Birth of Jesus  

"I am your peace..."  

 

J.M.J.      

December 31, 2012

New Year's Eve

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

Here again is the message given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti on December 25, 2012:

 

Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.

 

We are all marveling at the perfection and power of this little message from Baby Jesus, given to us on Christmas Day through Marija! It says so very much in so few words. Why? Because Jesus IS the WORD, the Word of God! Everything is summed up in that Word. All Truth, all Hope, all Love, all Power!

 

Actually, when I sent out the interview between Father Livio and Maria last week, one section was a bit unclear. It was the section about being theologians. Here is a clearer translation sent by Olga:

 

I went back to the recording, and checked these few sentences, just to make sure (I thought I remembered them differently). I think it may help if I clarify it a little:

"Maria, you are not a theologian so maybe you don't know but theologians know very well that when Jesus in the Gospel says "I Am", He is claiming Divine Authority - "I Am Who I Am" - and therefore "I Am" is an expression of great Authority".

 

Thank you, Olga, for the clarification! It makes this message even more powerful!

 

"I Am" is the name of God, the name He announced to Moses from the burning bush. "I Am" is the Holy Name of Names! Baby Jesus was using His great Name when he spoke to Maria, "I Am"!!!

 

So, of course, that Name says everything! It is the Name of the Unknowable God, He who is outside of all creation because He is the author of creation! Wow! Such a gift was given to us in those few words.

 

Of course "I am" is our peace! Jesus is our peace. St. Paul knew this well when he wrote:

 

 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands -- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Eph 2:11-18)

 

"For he is our peace..." Jesus is our peace! He has broken down all the barriers between men and between man and God. All has been made right through Jesus. We have only to accept His gift of reconciliation, and live it.

 

May this New Year of 2013 be a year of reconciliation in Christ, a year in which all the barriers are broken down, all the hostility will cease, all the division will end, and love will abound! May this New Year be the time of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May this be the year of peace!

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

© Mary TV 2012

 

PS. On New Year's Day many of us have a tradition to receive a new saint for the year. We pray as a family, and each member draws a saint to be their patron and protector for the year. Mary TV has a printable list of saints, which you can print, cut up and place in a container for the drawing. As Denis says, the saints will be elbowing their way to the front of the line for each of us! Happy New Year to every one!

 

http://www.marytv.tv/MaryTV/saints-list

 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

How to Receive Holy Communion

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Immediately after receiving our Lord, while you are interiorly recollected, introduce Jesus into the Heart of Mary. There give Him to His Mother. She will receive Him lovingly and will adore Him profoundly. She will render Him in spirit and in truth many honors which we can not because of our ignorance. Lay your heart at the feet of the heavenly King and offer your will....Do not disturb your soul as long as it is recollected and at peace in the Heart of Jesus. In this gentle rest on the Heart of your God, your soul receives grace which nourishes it, unites it more sweetly to its Beloved.... and Profits It More Than Any Other Spiritual Exercise!

When this moment is passed, then begin to thank God for the great gift of Himself.

St. Louis de Montfort

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You can receive complimentary materials to make your Consecration to God through Mary’s Immaculate Heart ( important spiritual protection at this time in salvation history) at myconsecration.org... where you can also learn about Our Lady of Las Lajas.

You can learn more about our Lady of Fatima at www.wafusa.org.

God Bless you and your work,

Deacon Bob Tony

Deacon Bob Ellis Anthony Mullen
Executive Director MyConsecration.org
World Apostolate of Fatima, USA 647 Edmonds Avenue
A Pontifical Association of the Faithful Drexel Hill, PA 19026
visit us at: www.wafusa.org visit us at: www.myconsecration.org

Friday, December 28, 2012

Our Lady's December 28, 2012 Message to Ivan

mariaposc icon    

Yes I desire to be closer to Jesus! 

 

J.M.J.   

December 28, 2012

 

Dear Family of Mary!

   

Here is an account of Our Lady's December 28, 2012 apparition to Ivan (at night on Mt. Podbrdo):

 

Ivan began by saying it is very difficult to try to describe the encounter with Our Lady....Every word is too poor to try to describe the beauty of this encounter with Our Lady and in a special way to describe the love of the Mother is very difficult.  Therefore in these words that I have - in a most simple and brief manner I will describe it to you.

 

Our Lady came tonight very joyful and happy.  At the beginning she greeted all of us with her motherly greeting as usual,  "Praised be Jesus, my dear children!"...  

 

Afterwards Our Lady, for a longer time, with extended hands, prayed for all of us who were here.  In a special way she prayed over all of you who are sick, present here.  

 

Then Our Lady said: "Dear children, also today I desire to call you to joy. Anew I call you to joy! I call you at the same time to responsibility. Dear children, accept my messages responsibly and live my messages, because in the living of my messages I desire to lead you to my Son. All of these years that I have been together with you my finger has been directed toward the Son, towards Jesus.  I have a desire to lead all of you to Him.  Therefore these days that are upcoming, may your question also be - and I pose this question to you - 'What can I do that my heart may be closer to Jesus?'  May this question lead you.  Say to yourselves, 'What must I leave behind?  What must I reject that my heart may be closer to Jesus?  Pray dear children, and I will pray for all of you that your answer in your hearts may be 'Yes, I desire to be closer to Jesus!'  Thank you, dear children, for also today having responded to my call."  

 

Then, Ivan said he recommended all of us, all of our intentions, our families, and in a special way the sick... Then Our Lady continued to pray for a time for all priests....for vocations in the church... And then she left in prayer, in the sign of an illuminative sign of the cross with the words, "Go in peace, my dear children!"  

 

Thank you for Josip Zubac, for recording the English translation of Ivan's account of his encounter with Our Lady.

 

God bless you and Merry Christmas!!

 

Cathy Nolan

Mary TV 2012

 

[video] Tea With Rosie

12-24-12  

12-24-12 Tea With Rosie
Rosie shares about the Nativity Play organized by the Cenacalo Community, as well as other ways the Parish is preparing to celebrate Christmas.





BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2013


The Faith of Christians.

The Faith of Christians
Fr. Kubicki reflects on Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for January 2013.

BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2013

Vatican City, 28 December 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for January 2013 is: "That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him".

His mission intention is: "That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance".


Photos by Lothar Wolleh, thicke (Marc), Timothy K. Hamilton, Mariusz Chilmon, Joseph Shaw, Lawrence OP, keebosr





From CWR: The New “Blesseds” of 2012

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A look at the lives of the holy men and women beatified in the last year

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In 2012, 28 venerable servants of God—including 15 martyrs, five founders of religious communities, and two converts—have been raised to the altars in 14 beatification ceremonies.

Read about them here: http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1845/The_New_Blesseds_of_2012.aspx

Greccio, the location where St. Francis staged the first living nativity.

Mary TV Daily Reflection 12/28/2012

mariaposc icon 

Maria Posch  

 

 

J.M.J.      

December 28, 2012

Feast of the Holy Innocents

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together. (December 25, 2012 Marija)

 

This wonderful message is capturing our attention. Many of us are really drawn to the words of Baby Jesus. We are all so happy to hear from Him!

 

In yesterday's reflection I asked if anyone could translate Marija's interview with Father Livio on Radio Maria about this message. Lindita very generously transcribed and translated the entire interview for us. (Thank you, Lindita, for your great work!). It is good to read what Marija had to say:

 

Padre. Livio: Hi Maria ,,

Maria:  Hi P. Livio and Merry Christmas to all listeners of Radio Maria with all my heart.
Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said: "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.

P.Livio: Can you say it in Croatian.

Maria: Yes (and she spoke the message in Croatian)
P. Livio: May I ask you a few questions?
Maria: Yes.
P. Livio: Madonna has come always with her Baby in her arms and even with Jesus as He looked during His Passion, but this is the first time He spoke?
Maria: Yes, we are all surprised. It was a very strong emotion for me...after the apparition I started to cry. I am normally happy and this time I am even more so because it's something amazing, extraordinary! I was moved that He blessed us and spoke for the first time, absolutely!  
P. Livio: Listen, Madonna always comes with the Newborn Baby (at Christmas).
Maria: Of course like every other year she arrived with Baby Jesus.
P. Livio: So Baby Jesus was newborn?
Maria: Yes, I recommended [petitions] to Madonna, like I normally do and at a certain point I was waiting for her to give the message. But the opposite occurred, she remained silent. Jesus addressed me as the King of Peace. He was a Child but these words were spoken with authority.

P. Livio: So you were shocked from this new fact
Maria: Yes, because it was the first time that Jesus spoke to me. Jesus never spoke in Medjugorje.
P.Livio: Even though He was a child with the voice of a child, He spoke with authority?

Maria: Yes, He spoke with great authority and a strong feeling in His voice that remains strong. I heard the voice of Baby Jesus not like a child that is a few days old or a few hours old, but Jesus, only newborn. Once before [in 1981] an extraordinary moment occurred when Baby Jesus winked at us, and this is the second time something extraordinary has occurred..
P. Livio: So He looked like the icons in which we see Baby Jesus but with great Authority.
Maria: Exactly 
P. Livio: Maria, what do you think of this fact? As for me this is a new fact, but also beautiful and extremely positive.
Maria: I believe I never expected this event. I might have expected that Madonna would say:" I will not appear any longer," or something like that, but for 31 years she has appeared with Baby Jesus in her arms at Christmas and this is the first time He spoke.
P.Livio: But He spoke extraordinary words 'I am Your Peace.' Maria, you are not a theologian, but the theologians know very well that Jesus says in the Gospel: I am justified by the Divine Authority. I am the expression of great Authority. Those who study theology know that this expression indicates He is God: 'I am your peace, live my Commandments.' So a Baby who speaks with Divine Authority ... in this message we see the dimensions of the Divinity of Jesus, even in this Child, Newborn, His Divinity...and this is what strikes me more in this message.
Maria: It did strike my very strongly. I cried two or three times and this has touched me very much in my heart, and right now I am trying to comprehend what I saw. 
P. Livio: These are things with great spiritual depth...and infinitely so great to us.
Maira: Today, since the moment of Apparition [usually] feels ordinary to me, I observed today it was extraordinary and I am so grateful in my heart.
P.Livio: The truth is that God always surprises us! 
Maria: True! 
P.Livio: Can we say a prayer?
Maria: Yes, with all my heart.
P.Livio and Maria said the Magnificat together, then Glory Be...  
Then Padre Livio gave the Benediction: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Interview by Padre Livio with Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti given on December 25, 2012)

 http://messaggimedjugorje.blogspot.com/2012/12/video-marija-pavlovic-comunica-il.html      

 

This interview is a great help in understanding what Marija experienced on December 25 during the apparition. I also have good news! Today, Marija will be interviewed by our Medjugorje Team at her home in Medjugorje. She will share about this apparition with us all! We will feature the interview on our home page as soon as we can get it up! Check our website during the day today!

 

Also, today Josip will be streaming the musical Christmas play produced by the Cenacolo Community! 10:00 am Eastern time in the US! Join us for this wonderful event! Because of this special program, the Daily Rosary will be pre-empted and we will probably pray it at a later time.

 

Let's really keep Baby Jesus' words in our hearts these days!

 

"I am your peace, live my commandments."

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

Mary TV 2012

 

PS. A message from Denis:

 

December 28, 2012

Feast of the Holy Innocents

 

Dear Family of Mary TV,

 

Blessed and a very Merry Christmas to you all! We have a special little gift from Our Lady this Christmas Octave:

 

Mary TV will be streaming two special programs today, December 28th, that you won't want to miss (of course they will be archived for later viewing).

 

At 10:00am (EDT) we'll be streaming live at <www.marytv.tv> the Cenacolo Christmas Concert being performed live in front of St. James Church in Medjugorje.  

 

And later on today, Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic Lunetti will share with Mary TV her experience of Our Lady's December 25, 2012 Christmas apparition, where Jesus gave the message instead of Our Lady!

 

You might want to spread this news to everyone in your email list!

 

God bless you!

 

Denis

 

PS. I prefer leaving financial matters to Jesus... He always does such a good job. But I sense he wants me to turn to you now because doing so will bring a spiritual protection for Mary TV as we enter into 2013.   Mary TV's needs could be met if 2000 people could give $10 each month (or 1000 give $20!)! If everyone pitches in, even a little bit, we will be able to continue sharing the events and graces of Medjugorje with the world.  

 

 Best for us would be if you would set up a recurring donation on line through our online donation service which handles "one time" or "recurring" credit card or bank transfer donations (in the left hand column at www.marytv.tv).   If anyone outside the USA has trouble donating on line, request a donation form from Cathy, at cnolan@marytv.tv. She will send you a form... fill in the form and mail it to Mary TV, P.O. Box 899, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or fax it to 574-288-3069 and Cathy can then set up your recurring donation!  Anyone can of course send a donation to MARY TV at the above address. All donations are tax exempt. Thank you very much! On January 25, 1997 Our Lady told us, "This time is my time!" Together we can continue putting Mary TV at her service!

 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Amazon’s FREE Virgin Mary Book Give-Away Starts Today



Amazon’s FREE Virgin Mary Book Give-Away Starts Today


The Ultimate Saints Guide to the Immaculate Conception of Mary


Free for a Limit Time:  Get Amazon’s Hot New Release:

 

The Ultimate Saints Guide to the Immaculate Conception: FREE book

How appropriate to start on the feast of St. John.  Jesus gave St. John and all disciples a Mother. So, now to honor St. John (my name sack), we are giving you a book honoring Our Mother.  Please consider this our Christmas present to you.

Here is a fair warning.  The promo ends Monday, December 31st.  Please act quickly.

 

In this book you will discover:

  • The ultimate proof of the Immaculate Conception.
  • Our Lady’s own description of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, as revealed by Saint Bridget of Sweden.
  • The virtually unknown story of Sts. Joachim and Ann, and their unique role in salvation history.
  • Arguably the best apologetic work on the Immaculate Conception by St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church. This hidden gem has been read by only a handful of Catholics worldwide.
  • Definitive proof that the Immaculate Conception of Mary was proclaimed since the beginning of the Church. Discover, first hand, the oral traditions of the Early Church and their teachings.

 

Why is Amazon giving it away? 

Simply, it is a joint venture.  The main purpose of the book is to increase devotion to Our Mother, Mary.  This book will be the seed money to promote Dan and I’s new apostolate on the Immaculate Conception.  All proceeds will be used to build the Apostolate’s foundation.  You can like our community here on Facebook.   What better way to kick it off than by giving it away free.

 

Please give it a five star rating and leave a glowing review.

Your positive feedback is absolutely critical for authors. If you ethically can’t leave a 5 star rating can you leave a comment below and tell me what is needed to change it?

 

We are Shocked!

Despite the fact of not being widely promoted, that the  book  published on the feast of the Immaculate Conception,  is considered by Amazon as a “hot new release”.  We also topped the top 10 list in a couple of categories.  This is really exciting and hard for us to believe.

Immaculate Conception Hot New Releases 12-22-2012

Again thank you so much for being a faithful reader and subscriber. You are the life-blood of this apostolate.

 

Merry Christmas and God bless,

John Quinn and Dan Quinn (my twin brother)

 

P.S. Please download The Ultimate Saints Guide to the Immaculate Conception now. It’s only available free until December 31th.

P.P.S Can you do Our Mother, Dan and myself a huge favor?  Can you please share and actively promote this? Does your parish have an email list (prayer request list)? Can it be announced at Mass? Can you call a Catholic Radio program during a live portion? Will a Catholic Radio Station announce it on air?  Do you know a Catholic blogger?  Can you personal request a Catholic group you liked on Facebook to share with their list.  If you use Kindle, you can use the Kindle Lending Library to share with your friends. Can you post on a Catholic Forum?  Thanks and enjoy.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Mary TV Daily Reflection 12/27/2012

Our Lady and Baby Jesus    

Panagia Icon

Jesus and Mary bless us together! 

 

J.M.J.      

December 27, 2012

St. John

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

Here is the message given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti on December 25, 2012:

 

Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.

 

We are all a little surprised at the outcome of Marija's Christmas encounter with Our Lady. We were expecting a message from Our Lady. We have gotten pretty comfortable with these regular monthly messages. We expect them and they come! But this Christmas it was different. Our Lady did not speak directly to us through Marija. All of a sudden our comfortable monthly message habit was changed! No words from Our Lady!

 

But instead, the Word spoke to us through Marija! The Word of God, Himself, gave us a simple yet powerful message. "I am your peace, live my commandments." These seven words could guide us for a lifetime, as indeed they have guided the saints throughout history.

 

There have been a lot of opinions about this occurrence expressed via the web! But for me the most important opinion is Marija's! Fortunately, she spoke with Fr. Livio of Radio Maria about this Christmas message and he asked her what it all meant to her. (You can hear this interview at  http://messaggimedjugorje.blogspot.com/2012/12/video-marija-pavlovic-comunica-il.html in Italian.)

 

Denis asked a friend to listen to the interview and summarize it in English for us. Here is her excellent summary:

 

Marija notes several times that the BVM did not give a message.  In response to Fr. Liveo's question, she affirms that even though our Lady has appeared with Jesus in her arms every Christmas, he as never before spoken.  Marija says this is the first apparition in which the baby Jesus spoke and that she was very surprised.  In fact, she makes this point several times in the interview... it is the first time Jesus ever spoke to Marija; it is the first time Jesus spoke in Medjugorje; it is something Marija never expected would happen.  Marija said that while she has cried two or three times before after an apparition, she cried even more this time because of the joy in her heart; she was deeply moved.
 
Fr Liveo notes that a newborn cannot speak and asks about Jesus' voice.  Marija says that he spoke in a child's voice but with great authority.  Fr. Liveo says:  "So, he spoke as a little child but with royal authority?"  Marija says that is exactly right. 
 
There is nothing in anything Marija says that would give the impression that this event is something that should cause alarm.  On the contrary, while she agrees with Fr. Liveo that this was a shock (his word, not hers), she presents this as something about which she is rejoicing.     

I hope this helps! 

 

Yes it does help! I had the same kind of joy and amazement in my heart when I read the account of Marija's apparition given out by the parish. It is wonderful that Jesus spoke to us all! Wonderful and powerful. He has given us in just a few words, the central message of Medjugorje. He is our peace and His commandments are the way to His peace. Simple and powerful!

 

Maybe the Saint of today, St. John, the Beloved, will help us to respond to Baby Jesus' words to us. Saint John was so close to Jesus, so intimate with Him! He can teach us how to draw close to Jesus, to live His commandments, and to embrace Him as our peace. We can learn to lay our heads on His breast, to rest in Him.

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2012

 

PS. If there is someone who is able to translate and transcribe this interview of Marija by Fr. Livio, and share it with me, I would be so grateful. I would love to know exactly what Marija said!  

 

http://messaggimedjugorje.blogspot.com/2012/12/video-marija-pavlovic-comunica-il.html    

 

 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Mary TV: December 25, 2012 Messages


Birth of Jesus  

 "I am your peace, live my commandments"  

 

J.M.J.      

December 25, 2012

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

Here is the message given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti on December 25, 2012:

 

Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.

 

Also today, a message was given through Jakov Colo:

 

At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. The apparition began at 2:15 pm and lasted 10 minutes. Afterwards Jakov transmitted this message:

"Dear children, give the gift of your life to me and completely surrender to me so that I may help you to comprehend my motherly love and the love of my Son for you. My children, I love you immeasurably and today, in a special way, on the day of the birth of my Son, I desire to receive each of you into my heart and to give a gift of your lives to my Son. My children, Jesus loves you and gives you the grace to live in His mercy, but sin has overtaken many of your hearts and you live in darkness. Therefore, my children, do not wait, say `no' to sin and surrender your hearts to my Son, because only in this way will you be able to live God's mercy and, with Jesus in your hearts, set out on the way of salvation."

 

God bless you and Merry Christmas!!

 

Cathy Nolan

Mary TV 2012


From Mark Mallett: A True Christmas Tale

 

 

IT was the end of a long winter concert tour across Canada—nearly 5000 miles in all. My body and mind were exhausted. Having finished my last concert, we were now a mere two hours from home. Just one more stop for fuel, and we would be off in time for Christmas. I looked over at my wife and said, “All I want to do is light the fireplace and lie like a lump on the couch.” I could smell the woodsmoke already.

A young boy came and stood by the pump waiting for my instructions. “Fill ‘er up—diesel,” I said. It was a frigid -22 C (-8 Farenheit) outside, so I crawled back into the warm tour bus, a big 40 foot motorhome. I sat there in my chair, my back aching, thoughts drifting toward a crackling fire… After a few minutes, I looked outside. The gas jockey had gone back inside to warm himself, so I decided to go out and check the pump. It’s a big tank on those motorhomes, and takes up to 10 minutes to fill sometimes.

I stood there looking at the nozzle when something didn’t seem right. It was white. I’ve never seen a white nozzle for diesel. I looked back at the pump. Back at the nozzle. Back at the pump. He was filling the bus with unleaded gasoline!

Unleaded gas will destroy a diesel engine, and I had three of them! One for heating, one for the generator, and then the main engine. I stopped the pump immediately, which by now, had discharged close to $177.00 of fuel. I ran into the bus and shut down the heater and generator.   

I immediately knew the night was ruined. We were going nowhere. The burning embers in my mind were now smoldering ashes. I could feel the heat of frustration beginning to boil in my veins. But something inside told me to stay calm…

I walked into the gas station to explain the situation. The owner happened to be there. She was on her way home to prepare a turkey meal for 24 people coming over that evening. Now her plans were in jeopardy as well. The gas jockey, a boy of perhaps 14 or 15 years, stood there sheepishly. I looked at him… there was a grace, a steady peace which told me to be merciful

But as the temperature continued to plunge, I was worried that the water systems on the motorhome would begin to freeze. “Lord, this is going from bad to worse.” My six children were on board and my 8 months pregnant wife. The toddler was throwing up in the back. It was getting very cold inside, and for some reason, the breaker was tripping when I tried to plug the motor home in. Now the batteries were going dead.

My body continued to ache as the owner’s husband and I drove through the town looking for some means to dispose of the fuel. When we got back to the gas station, a fireman had shown up with a couple of empty barrels. By now, two and half hours had gone by. I was supposed to be in front of my fireplace. Instead, my feet were freezing as we crawled on icy ground to drain the fuel. The words rose in my heart, “Lord, I’ve been preaching the Gospel for you the past month… I’m on your side!”

A small group of men had gathered. They worked together like an experienced pit-stop crew. It was amazing how everything seemed to be provided for: from tools, to barrels, to manpower, to know-how, to hot chocolate—even supper.

I went inside at one point to warm up. “I can’t believe you’re so calm,” someone remarked.

“Well, what can you do?” I replied. “It’s God’s will.” I just couldn’t figure out why, as I headed back outside.

It was a slow process draining three separate fuel lines. After awhile, I headed back into the station to warm up again. The owner’s wife and another woman were standing there having an animated discussion. She lit up when she saw me. 

“An older man walked in here wearing blue,” she said. “He just came in by the door, stood and watched you out there, and then turned to me and said, ‘God has allowed this for a purpose.’ Then he just left. It was so strange that I immediately went outside to see where he went. He was nowhere. There was no car, no man, nothing. Do you think he was an angel?”

I don’t remember what I said. But I began to feel that this night had a purpose. Whoever he was, left me with renewed strength.

Some four hours later, the bad fuel was drained and the tanks refilled (with diesel). At last, the boy who had pretty much avoided me, now met face to face. He apologized. “Here,” I said, “I want you to have this.” It was a copy of one of my CD’s. “I forgive you for what happened. I want you to know that this is how God treats us when we sin.” Turning to the owner, I said, “Whatever you do with him is your business. But I bet he’ll be one of your most attentive jockeys now.” I gave her a CD too, and we finally departed.

 

A LETTER

Several weeks later, I received a letter from a man who had attended the owner’s Christmas party that cold night.

When she finally came home to the dinner, she told everyone that she had been afraid of facing the motorhome owner (some scream about a $2.00 overfill!), but the motorhome driver told those involved that the Lord is forgiving, and we must forgive each other.

Over Christmas dinner, there was much talk about God’s grace (otherwise he may not have been mentioned except for the Blessing over the meal), and the lesson on forgiveness and love taught by the driver and his family (she said he was a Gospel singer). The driver was an example to one person at the dinner in particular, that not all rich Christians are hypocrites after money (as he formerly claimed), but do walk with the Lord.

The young boy who pumped the gasoline? He said to his boss “I know I’m fired.”

She replied, “If you don’t show up for work on Thursday, you will be.”

 
While I am not a rich Christian by any stretch, I am certainly richer today knowing that God never wastes an opportunity. You see, I thought I was “done” ministering that night as I dreamed of burning logs. But God is always “on”.

No, we are to be witnesses at all times, in season or out. An apple tree does not bear apples in the morning and figs at night.

The Christian too, must always be on.  

 

First published December 30th, 2006.

 

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Today at Medjugorje the Christ Child spoke instead of His Mother for Christmas

Mary stays silent but Baby Jesus speaks

By Jakob Marschner on Dec 25, 2012

Christmas Day 2012 saw an unprecedented event in 31 years of reported apparitions in Medjugorje: According to visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti, the Virgin Mary said nothing, but left the talking to Baby Jesus. From Mary’s arms, He appealed for man to live His commandments.

christ child baby jesus speaks virgin mary our silent silent medjugorje december 25 christmas 2012

Mary was silent – but in an event never seen before in Medjugorje, the Christ Child spoke instead of His Mother for Christmas, said visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti

After more than 31 years of apparitions in Medjugorje, a never seen before event took place on Christmas Day.

According to visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti, the Virgin Mary came with little Jesus in her arms and did not give a message – but little Jesus began to speak and said:

“I am your peace, live my commandments.”

With a sign of the Cross, the little Jesus and the Virgin Mary gave a blessing, the visionary said.

On rare occasions, the Virgin Mary has stayed silent before, and the visionaries have reported seeing Jesus, too, for Christmas as well as for Easter. But that Jesus speaks instead of the Virgin Mary has never been reported by a Medjugorje visionary before, throughout the more than 31 years of reported apparitions.

To be updated with comments in the following days

Attend an apparition – pilgrimage programme is here!

"If Mary and Joseph were to knock at my door"

"If God’s light is extinguished, man’s divine dignity is also extinguished. Then the human creature would cease to be God’s image, to which we must pay honour in every person, in the weak, in the stranger, in the poor." The pope's homily for Christmas Eve by Benedict XVI via chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it

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Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Again and again the beauty of this Gospel touches our hearts: a beauty that is the splendour of truth. Again and again it astonishes us that God makes himself a child so that we may love him, so that we may dare to love him, and as a child trustingly lets himself be taken into our arms. It is as if God were saying: I know that my glory frightens you, and that you are trying to assert yourself in the face of my grandeur. So now I am coming to you as a child, so that you can accept me and love me.

I am also repeatedly struck by the Gospel writer’s almost casual remark that there was no room for them at the inn. Inevitably the question arises, what would happen if Mary and Joseph were to knock at my door. Would there be room for them? And then it occurs to us that Saint John takes up this seemingly chance comment about the lack of room at the inn, which drove the Holy Family into the stable; he explores it more deeply and arrives at the heart of the matter when he writes: "he came to his own home, and his own people received him not" (Jn 1:11).

The great moral question of our attitude towards the homeless, towards refugees and migrants, takes on a deeper dimension: do we really have room for God when he seeks to enter under our roof? Do we have time and space for him? Do we not actually turn away God himself?

We begin to do so when we have no time for him. The faster we can move, the more efficient our time-saving appliances become, the less time we have. And God? The question of God never seems urgent. Our time is already completely full. But matters go deeper still. Does God actually have a place in our thinking? Our process of thinking is structured in such a way that he simply ought not to exist. Even if he seems to knock at the door of our thinking, he has to be explained away. If thinking is to be taken seriously, it must be structured in such a way that the "God hypothesis" becomes superfluous. There is no room for him. Not even in our feelings and desires is there any room for him. We want ourselves. We want what we can seize hold of, we want happiness that is within our reach, we want our plans and purposes to succeed. We are so "full" of ourselves that there is no room left for God. And that means there is no room for others either, for children, for the poor, for the stranger.

By reflecting on that one simple saying about the lack of room at the inn, we have come to see how much we need to listen to Saint Paul’s exhortation: "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom 12:2). Paul speaks of renewal, the opening up of our intellect (nous), of the whole way we view the world and ourselves. The conversion that we need must truly reach into the depths of our relationship with reality. Let us ask the Lord that we may become vigilant for his presence, that we may hear how softly yet insistently he knocks at the door of our being and willing. Let us ask that we may make room for him within ourselves, that we may recognize him also in those through whom he speaks to us: children, the suffering, the abandoned, those who are excluded and the poor of this world.

There is another verse from the Christmas story on which I should like to reflect with you – the angels’ hymn of praise, which they sing out following the announcement of the new-born Saviour: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased."

God is glorious. God is pure light, the radiance of truth and love. He is good. He is true goodness, goodness par excellence. The angels surrounding him begin by simply proclaiming the joy of seeing God’s glory. Their song radiates the joy that fills them. In their words, it is as if we were hearing the sounds of heaven. There is no question of attempting to understand the meaning of it all, but simply the overflowing happiness of seeing the pure splendour of God’s truth and love. We want to let this joy reach out and touch us: truth exists, pure goodness exists, pure light exists. God is good, and he is the supreme power above all powers. All this should simply make us joyful tonight, together with the angels and the shepherds.

Linked to God’s glory on high is peace on earth among men. Where God is not glorified, where he is forgotten or even denied, there is no peace either. Nowadays, though, widespread currents of thought assert the exact opposite: they say that religions, especially monotheism, are the cause of the violence and the wars in the world. If there is to be peace, humanity must first be liberated from them. Monotheism, belief in one God, is said to be arrogance, a cause of intolerance, because by its nature, with its claim to possess the sole truth, it seeks to impose itself on everyone. Now it is true that in the course of history, monotheism has served as a pretext for intolerance and violence.

It is true that religion can become corrupted and hence opposed to its deepest essence, when people think they have to take God’s cause into their own hands, making God into their private property. We must be on the lookout for these distortions of the sacred. While there is no denying a certain misuse of religion in history, yet it is not true that denial of God would lead to peace. If God’s light is extinguished, man’s divine dignity is also extinguished. Then the human creature would cease to be God’s image, to which we must pay honour in every person, in the weak, in the stranger, in the poor. Then we would no longer all be brothers and sisters, children of the one Father, who belong to one another on account of that one Father.

The kind of arrogant violence that then arises, the way man then despises and tramples upon man: we saw this in all its cruelty in the last century. Only if God’s light shines over man and within him, only if every single person is desired, known and loved by God is his dignity inviolable, however wretched his situation may be. On this Holy Night, God himself became man; as Isaiah prophesied, the child born here is "Emmanuel", God with us (Is 7:14). And down the centuries, while there has been misuse of religion, it is also true that forces of reconciliation and goodness have constantly sprung up from faith in the God who became man. Into the darkness of sin and violence, this faith has shone a bright ray of peace and goodness, which continues to shine.

So Christ is our peace, and he proclaimed peace to those far away and to those near at hand (cf. Eph 2:14, 17). How could we now do other than pray to him: Yes, Lord, proclaim peace today to us too, whether we are far away or near at hand. Grant also to us today that swords may be turned into ploughshares (Is 2:4), that instead of weapons for warfare, practical aid may be given to the suffering. Enlighten those who think they have to practise violence in your name, so that they may see the senselessness of violence and learn to recognize your true face. Help us to become people "with whom you are pleased" – people according to your image and thus people of peace.

Once the angels departed, the shepherds said to one another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened for us (cf. Lk 2:15). The shepherds went with haste to Bethlehem, the Evangelist tells us (cf. 2:16). A holy curiosity impelled them to see this child in a manger, who the angel had said was the Saviour, Christ the Lord. The great joy of which the angel spoke had touched their hearts and given them wings.

Let us go over to Bethlehem, says the Church’s liturgy to us today. Trans-eamus is what the Latin Bible says: let us go "across", daring to step beyond, to make the "transition" by which we step outside our habits of thought and habits of life, across the purely material world into the real one, across to the God who in his turn has come across to us. Let us ask the Lord to grant that we may overcome our limits, our world, to help us to encounter him, especially at the moment when he places himself into our hands and into our heart in the Holy Eucharist.

Let us go over to Bethlehem: as we say these words to one another, along with the shepherds, we should not only think of the great "crossing over" to the living God, but also of the actual town of Bethlehem and all those places where the Lord lived, ministered and suffered. Let us pray at this time for the people who live and suffer there today. Let us pray that there may be peace in that land. Let us pray that Israelis and Palestinians may be able to live their lives in the peace of the one God and in freedom. Let us also pray for the countries of the region, for Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and their neighbours: that there may be peace there, that Christians in those lands where our faith was born may be able to continue living there, that Christians and Muslims may build up their countries side by side in God’s peace.

The shepherds made haste. Holy curiosity and holy joy impelled them. In our case, it is probably not very often that we make haste for the things of God. God does not feature among the things that require haste. The things of God can wait, we think and we say. And yet he is the most important thing, ultimately the one truly important thing. Why should we not also be moved by curiosity to see more closely and to know what God has said to us? At this hour, let us ask him to touch our hearts with the holy curiosity and the holy joy of the shepherds, and thus let us go over joyfully to Bethlehem, to the Lord who today once more comes to meet us. Amen.

From http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/?eng=y