Those of us who have made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje attest to Our Mother Mary's loving intercession throughout our lives, particularly in times of trials and sufferings. Our Lady always takes care of her children, specially those who have made the consecration to her Immaculate Heart. She even anticipates our future spiritual and material needs, coming to our aid at the right time. Our Blessed Mother assures us of her abiding presence and comforts us in difficult periods of our lives. She visits us through our dreams, sends unexpected gifts, and showers us with graces. For example, out of the blue, someone I know was inspired to make the 33-day consecration to Mary, years after the pilgrimage. At the end of the consecration, out of the blue, the person received a miraculous medal and a rosary blessed by Our Lady in Medjugorje, confirming Our Mother's affirmation of the consecration. I can go on and on about Our Lady's miraculous interventions ... too many to tell. Just allow her to fulfill her role as our Heavenly Mother, Mediatrix of All Grace, Co-Redemptrix, and Advocate. It is her joy to work divine wonders in our lives by leading us to her Son Jesus. From her, we will learn to embrace all that God ordains or allows to happen to us by seeing everything in a spiritual light. We may not understand why God has given us a painful cross, a thorn on our side, or a prickly crown on our head that makes no sense at all from a human point of view. But God has His reasons; we will probably know about them only in the next life. Meantime, may we be consoled and strengthened by the truth that God draws great good out of evil done to us. Suffering sanctifies us when we forgive and trust that God will render perfect justice at His appointed time. Evildoers need our prayers for God's mercy on their poor souls, thay they may repent before it’s too late.
Thankfully I get little glimpses of light along the way. I must hold on to that. It's enough to keep me going.
Going through very difficult physical health issues at the moment but trying to trust in God. I hope God doesn't hate me. Sometimes it feels like He does but trying to keep going. Feeling very abandoned by God at the moment. I'm afraid of dying but trying to pray through it.
I used to love to read Padre Pio's letters to his spiritual children when I was in darkness. I think there were about three volumes of them bound in a kind of nice mock leather. The thing about Padre Pio was he was just so kind , compassionate and empathetic with these poor suffering women. Why was he like this? I think it was because he suffered so very much himself. A wounded heart reaching out to other wounded heart. He knew the pain because he was experiencing it himself. Very,very touching. https://bigccatholics.blogspot.com/2017/09/saint-padre-pio-on-value-of-suffering.html The greater your sufferings, the greater God’s love for you. *** When we suffer, Jesus is closer to us. *** The storms that are raging around you will turn out to be for God’s glory, your own merit, and the good of many souls. *** Every sacrifice which your soul makes, every good it does is directed to God for the sanctification of all. *** True and substantial devotion consists in serving God without experiencing any sensible consolation. This means serving and loving God for His own sake. *** How unbearable is pain when suffered far from the Cross, but how sweet and bearable it becomes when it is offered close to the Cross of Jesus! *** If we earnestly endeavor to love Jesus, this alone will drive all fear from our hearts and soul will find that instead of walking in the Lord’s paths, it is flying. *** Don’t be daunted by the cross. The surest test of love consists in suffering for the loved one, and if God suffered so much for love, the pain we suffer for Him becomes as lovable as love itself. *** He wants you entirely for Himself, He wants you to place all your trust and all your affection in Him alone and it is precisely for this reason that He send you this spiritual aridity, to unite you more closely to Him. *** Jesus is with you even when you don’t feel His presence. He is never so close to you as He is during your spiritual battles. He is always there, close to you, encouraging you to fight your battle courageously. He is there to ward off the enemy’s blows so that you may not be hurt.
This post speaks volumes to me. It has helped me immensely. I am experiencing much of what you have described about Our Lady.
This came at just the right time for me yesterday. I was actually thinking of this quote while struggling, and then I saw this post and knew Mary was with me. So thank you.
Will's tonsil is still as large as ever, and a couple days ago his other tonsil grew a bit. It's not as large as the other one, but it's scaring him that it could keep growing and meet the other one, which would block his breathing and swallowing. I prayed many rosaries yesterday for either tonsil to shrink, but nothing has happened. Today I made an appointment with an ENT that will be on Thursday. They'll look and determine if they should be surgically removed. May God's will be done. At this point we're just trying our best to trust and not be afraid.
Thanks for these quotes Padraig. Very helpful. "The greater your sufferings the greater God's love for you." Will try to hold on to that
" I remember the last time I made the 33 day Consecration on the last day I started saying the consecration prayer the Angelus bells started ringing just as I was saying the final prayer. I hadn't even planned this and wasn't aware of the time so perhaps it was a little grace from Our Lady!
I often think our sufferings are tailor made to suit us. What troubles one greatly may not trouble another one at all. The Lord though turns everything to good for those who love him (and are patient!)
I agree with you! Thanks for the reminder that the Lord turns everything to good for those who love him. I needed to be reminded of that. I heard something years ago that has stayed with me. If everyone put their crosses in a pile, we would pick up our own.
