Monday, June 17, 2013

Mary TV Daily Reflection 6/17/2013


unity through Jesus   
(c)Mary TV 2013
Therefore, my children, set out after my Son.

J.M.J.
June 17, 2013

Dear Family of Mary!

"...I, as a mother, desire my children to be in a community of one single people where the Word of God is listened to and carried out.* Therefore, my children, set out after my Son. Be one with Him. Be God's children...." (June 2, 2013)

Our Lady learned about living in a community of one single people directly from Jesus during his public ministry. Luke tells us that one day while Jesus was teaching the people his mother came to see him and could not get near because of all the people:

Then his mother and his brethren came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, "Your mother and your brethren are standing outside, desiring to see you." But he said to them, "My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it." (Luke 8:19-21)

The close family relationships of mother and brethren would seem to represent "a community of one single people". If family is not a community, then what is? And of course Jesus seems to agree. But He flips this idea on its head. The unity of family is attributed not to flesh and blood, but to "those who hear the word of God and do it." These are the very words Our Lady uses to instruct us in being a community. She tells us to be "one single people where the Word of God is listened to and carried out."

Of course, Our Lady is the best example of someone who listens to the word of God and carries it out. In Luke 1:38, she says, "Be it done to me according to your word." She chooses to say "yes" to the word of God for her, and she follows that word faithfully her entire life. That word for Mary was actually to receive The Word of God, Jesus, as her son. And her submission to that Word created a unity with God and with us that is unequaled in all history.

So Our Lady is speaking to us from her deep experience when she calls us to listen to the Word of God and carry it out.

Of course we have to remember that listening to the Word of God means that we become deeply attached to Jesus, and listen to everything He tells us, living His will for us individually, and uniquely according to our own gifts and capacities. This means that our unity with each other will come not from becoming all alike, living a program for life that is uniform and regimented. No, indeed, it means rather that we listen to the Word of the Lord, as He has taught us through His Revelation and as He speaks to our hearts, and we follow Him on our own roads, with fidelity and trust. We are all different, but we will be focused on one goal, one light, one Lord. He will be our sole desire. And we will be united in our love for Him. Our unity as a community will come from our individual and unique relationships with Jesus.

Our unity depends not on a program or human plan, not on a human controlling authority or earthly power, but on our living relationship with Jesus, the One who can unite us because He is God. Our communal life will be one of joy and freedom, as we each are directed by the Holy Spirit to love and serve each other freely, and in our own capacity. This is a community that brings life!

Our Lady is serious about this desire, because she sees that we do not always hear the Word of God and do it. She wants us to be attentive to the Holy Spirit as He moves us forward in God's will. So she follows this statement about Community with these words: "Therefore, my children, set out after my Son. Be one with Him. Be God's children." How do we achieve unity as a people? By setting out after Jesus, and becoming one with Him. By being God's children. That is how community is achieved. The Spirit will do it in us. No fear!

So, if Our Lady is serious, it is because she sees we are not setting out after Jesus. That is our road to union. All unity is in Jesus, and only in Him.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2013

PS. Tonight another "Fruit of Medjugorje" episode will be aired on Mary TV. 8:00 pm EDT! www.marytv.tv

PPS. Mary TV will be streaming, live, from Apparition Hill every day this week, as we pray the Novena to Our Lady of Medjugorje with the Parish. Join us at 10:00 am EDT at www.marytv.tv




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 "Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world!"   
Blessed John Paul II  -
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