The following is Our Lady of Medjugorje's January 25, 2012 Monthly Message : “Dear children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Three words which stand out in this message from Our Lady are refuge, peace, and faith. Notice that Mary hints at her Jewish roots when invoking God's title: the Most High. The archangel, Gabriel, made use of this Name at the Annunciation and it is also highlighted in Psalm 91: 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." This verse is a wonderful allusion to the Ark of the Covenant which was the dwelling place of God in Old Testament times. But our Mother is the Ark of the New Covenant since she carried in her womb the Son of the Most High. How appropriate that Mary calls us to seek her Heart out as our place of refuge. There I will find Jesus in whom I trust! Our Lady's words also bring to mind the beginning of the fifth chapter in Romans where Paul writes: 1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Like Paul, Mary speaks of the abundance of grace accessible through our prayer and communion with God. This is the marvelous gift bestowed on us through faith, peace of heart. Oh, I could go on and on about the riches of this message and these two passages (Rm 5:1-5 and Ps 91), but I'd rather suggest you do it for yourselves. Take the Holy Scriptures in your hands, find a comfortable spot in Our Lady's Immaculate Heart, and Jesus will fill you with the joy and peace of His Presence! Alleluia! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
