May is for Mary.
In our monthly topic on Fathers for Good, we look at Marian apparitions and their application to Catholic life today. After all that the Blessed Mother has done and said, it is a great wonder that there are lukewarm and poorly formed Catholics today.
Just think: the Mother of God has appeared on earth -- a lady from heaven has come to speak to humanity. She has given a consistent message of prayer, penance, sacrifice and love.
Just consider --
In Guadalupe, Mexico, in 1531, she left her own image on the garment of Juan Diego, and her appearance was the inspiration for the conversion of millions of indigenous people! Her image still is clear on the tilma almost 500 years later, and science cannot explain it!
Can we see that image and fail to believe?
In Lourdes, France, in 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette and revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, the only human conceived without Original Sin. She also instructed Bernadette to uncover a hidden stream of water that has swelled into a stream where today millions flock for the healing powers. Miraculous cures have been documented, with no medical explanation. My own son was healed there in 2001 of a heart ailment (see previous blog entry).
Can we look at the waters of Lourdes and fail to believe?
In Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, the Blessed Mother made a series of dramatic appearances to three shepherd children, and gave dire warnings about the coming of World War II and the sufferings of the Church and the Pope.
The last of the visionaries became a religous nun and died just a few eyars ago. Sister Lucy was a constant witness to the presence of God and the message of Mary.
Mary's three Fatima "secrets" have been revealed, but most important were her calls for prayer, penance and charity. She concluded her monthly appearance with the "Miracle of the Sun" which was reported by secular papers of the time.
Can we hear the Fatima message and think about the Miracle of the Sun and fail to believe?
Tomorrow, May 13, is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, marking the first appearance of Our Lady to the shepherd children. Let us take her message to heart, and turn to Jesus for the rest of our lives.
We probably have to ask ourselves as Catholics if we really do believe in the basics of the faith before we can think about this miraculous stuff.
I mean, every Mass is a miracle I guess?
Posted by: Kramer | May 15, 2009 at 07:50 AM
You are so right about the witness of the Blessed Mother in our modern times, with all her appearances. It really has happened, God has spoken through his Mother to people who are living today, and yet so few believe!
Thank you for making this clear.
Posted by: Jason J. | May 15, 2009 at 07:48 AM