In the last two weeks, great loss has occurred in the lives of close friends and, in my life. Two weeks ago today, our close friends and fellow lay apostles lost their only son at the age of 40. This past Thursday, one of my dear childhood friends (a week older than me), died at the age of 52. Two sets of parents suffering the loss of a child. Spouses suffering the loss of a partner, and children suffering the loss of a parent. I cannot even begin to comprehend the pain and suffering these families are experiencing. But one thing has become even clearer to me . . . God is asking us to focus on eternity, not the world. Death is inevitable my friends. No more "I'll change later . . . I deserve to have some fun now" talk. If we don't try to act and think more Christlike on a daily basis now, will we be prepared when it's our time? He has shown us over and over His love for us . . . let's not forget in moments of despair. It's time to prepare. Our next breath could be our last.
The Gospel reading today (John 4:43-54) teaches us not to ignore the graces He has shown us:
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
In Volume One, our Blessed Mother lovingly asks us to work on our obedience to her Son:
The Gospel reading today (John 4:43-54) teaches us not to ignore the graces He has shown us:
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
In Volume One, our Blessed Mother lovingly asks us to work on our obedience to her Son:
"Remember to pray, children. In this way, every action throughout your day can be sanctified. Think of all the small tasks you complete, barely giving any thought to them. If you offer them to us with love, we can use even the smallest action for the salvation of sinners. It is time now to pay attention. Do not put our words down and forget them. I want you to act in obedience to our words and let them change your life. It will feel like the most natural thing in the world, this transition to holiness. Once you make the decision, begin to pray. Once you begin to pray, obedience will come naturally. After obedience, we can move you swiftly to great levels of holiness. My dear one, you will then see the coming of God’s kingdom. The more you obey, the more we can reveal to you. There are many souls who allow their lives to be led by the enemy. They are leading others after them. This must cease. Answer “yes” to your mother and feel the closeness of Jesus, my Son. He will change you and introduce great beauty to your life. Be at peace as you follow the path to holiness. We are with you, and ask only that you do your best."
Lay apostles, are you prepared to meet Christ when you are called home to heaven? Have you been putting off making those small changes because you are just not ready to give up certain behaviors? Time is of the essence, my friends. Think about what can you do today to prepare yourself for the day you are called home to heaven.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the Volumes and Sacred Scripture to prepare myself and loved ones for the day You come to take us home.
God bless,
Bonnie
Until we meet again . . . RIP Vicki Zaragoza Krieger and Nyk Yacovitch.
Lay apostles, are you prepared to meet Christ when you are called home to heaven? Have you been putting off making those small changes because you are just not ready to give up certain behaviors? Time is of the essence, my friends. Think about what can you do today to prepare yourself for the day you are called home to heaven.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the Volumes and Sacred Scripture to prepare myself and loved ones for the day You come to take us home.
God bless,
Bonnie
Until we meet again . . . RIP Vicki Zaragoza Krieger and Nyk Yacovitch.
Old friends reunited a few years ago: (L to R) Cathy, me and Vicki (daughter, wife and mother of 3 sons)
Nyk Yacovitch - son, husband and father of one
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