Dear children, God the Father is sending me to show you the way of salvation, because he, my children, desires to save you and not to condemn you. That is why I, as a mother, am gathering you around me, because with my motherly love I desire to help you to be free of the dirtiness of the past and to begin to live anew and differently. I am calling you to resurrect in my Son. Along with confession of sins, renounce everything that has distanced you from my Son and that has made your life empty and unsuccessful. Say “yes” to the Father with the heart and set out on the way of salvation to which he is calling you through the Holy Spirit. Thank you. I am especially praying for the shepherds, for God to help them to be alongside you with a fullness of heart. Medjugorje message, May 2, 2011
• In this world of ever-increasing condemnation and blame, it is good to know that our Father in Heaven is not pointing the finger to condemn his children, and that his desire is only for our salvation and resurrection to new life.
Of course, the world will always attempt to present a different perspective on life and any call of the Holy Spirit to set out on the way of salvation. For salvation means incorporating forgiveness into our lives, to grow in faith, hope and love, to walk the same path as Jesus, to listen to him and follow. Forgiveness does not always come easy. It can be easier to blame and condemn.
But we see from this message that it is not the Father’s will to condemn his children, and through the prayer taught to us by Jesus, we also know that our peace and fulfillment on earth comes only when we are in harmony with the will of the Father.
Finding the strength in our heart to forgive others is not possible by ourselves, by our own power, and it can become even harder when we seek out the glittering but false crown of power that the world tempts each of us to grasp. Success in the eyes of the world does not always bring the peace our heart desires.
Our strength to forgive can only come through the grace of God and our readiness to renounce everything that keeps us at a distance from receiving this grace. Success in this life can only be our daily “yes” to the Father, not with our lips but with our heart.
• Jesus asked: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, ‘My boy, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not go,’ but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, ‘Certainly, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “In truth I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, showing the way of uprightness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.” Matthew 21 : 28-32
• Fr Neil Buchlein’s reflection on the message.
