Medjugorje & the OT Prophets

This is Monday's message from Our Lady to the world:

"Dear children! May this time be a time of personal prayer for you, so that the seed of faith may grow in your hearts; and may it grow into a joyful witness to others. I am with you and I desire to inspire you all: grow and rejoice in the Lord Who has created you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

We were just talking last night in Bible study about the messages that Our Lady brings to us through the visionaries in Medjugorje. We were comparing the content of her messages with the word of the OT prophets who spoke to Israel concerning returning to God with their whole hearts and forsaking the ways of foreign gods.

We discussed the idea that we are not that different from our OT forebears. We, too, turn to foreign gods in the misguided belief that life will be better, easier, more comfortable. If I only had.... a bigger house, better car, etc... We want to 'have it all' but find our lives lacking in joy and peace. We talk about peace, we pray for peace but we do not feel peaceful. I am as guilty as the next person.

I continually rant and rave over drivers on the road but fail to remember that they too may be having a difficult day; that they too just want to get out of traffic and find some peace.

Mary's messages are being given to us for a time. Jesus spoke to St. Faustina about people being given extra time before His justice falls because of His love for us and His Divine Mercy.

Perhaps it would be good for all of us to review the OT prophets including Elijah and Elisha and hear again their words of warning and repentance. Perhaps we should listen more closely to Our Lady's messages given each month, especially when they seem repetitive. She is trying to get our attention!

We are being given extra time. Time to pray, time to repent, time to make amends and time to turn to the Lord as our only source of true peace and joy. It is a new year. Perhaps this is the best time to make a new beginning of prayer and reconciliation. I know I have to. Before time runs out.