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Fr. Stephen Shin’s Reflections on the Messages
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June 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today, I desire to thank you for your perseverance and call you to open yourselves to profound prayer. Prayer, little children, is the heart of faith and is hope in eternal life. Therefore, pray with the heart until your heart sings with thanksgiving to God the Creator who gave you life. I am with you, little children, and carry to you my motherly blessing of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today, I desire to thank you for your perseverance and call you to open yourselves to profound prayer.

The Virgin Mary thanks us for our patience. In this context, patience means not just enduring but persevering with willpower and determination. It’s not about enduring one particular event but rather continuously bearing difficulties, trials, and suffering with firm resolve. Persistent patience is a great virtue of Christians. As Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).
      Each of us faces different hardships, trials, and suffering, but Mary knows all of them and encourages us for our perseverance. Therefore, no matter what situation we are in, we should find strength by remembering that the Virgin Mary is watching over us and encouraging us.
       While Mary expresses gratitude for our patience, this patience is more beneficial to us than to her. Through patience, we become stronger, and our faith deepens. It is something good for us. However, as our mother, Mary is thankful because she sees us growing and overcoming challenges, just as a mother feels proud and grateful when her children achieve something for their own good.
      To persevere even more and carry our daily crosses in following Jesus, prayer is essential. Heartfelt prayer—prayer from the depths of the heart, where our words and heart are united in sincerity—gives us strength to carry our daily crosses. When we carry our crosses and offer heartfelt prayer, we will experience the truth of the following scriptures in our lives:
" No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).
      “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10).

Therefore, pray with the heart until your heart sings with thanksgiving to God the Creator who gave you life. I am with you, little children, and carry to you my motherly blessing of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.

In our spiritual life and growth, prayer is most important. As the Virgin Mary says, prayer is the core of faith. A life of faith without prayer is unimaginable. Prayer is like water and nourishment for our soul, constantly needed for the growth of our faith. Without prayer, faith cannot grow. Although faith is a gift from Heaven, how we nurture and grow that faith depends entirely on us. If we recognize prayer as the core of faith and continuously pray from the heart, our faith will grow without limit.
      Since prayer is the core of faith, those who have faith must pray, and prayer rooted in faith brings us hope for eternal life. Jesus said, "For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day" (John 6:40). And through the Apostle Peter, we are assured that "you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pt 1:9).
       God, who created us and gave us life, has already prepared eternal life for us from before the creation of the world. How amazing is this! Our task is to firmly believe this, give thanks, and sing songs of praise from the heart:
“♪ Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and sing to the Lord of life! ♪”
      With the Virgin Mary, who reminds us of all these things, we are truly blessed. As our mother, she continues to guide us to spiritual rebirth and blesses us to live in peace. We should be grateful and strive to respond to her call more wholeheartedly.
   
 
 
May 25, 2017
"Dear children! The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion. Little children, open your hearts to the grace to which you are all called. Be witnesses of peace and love in this peaceless world. Your life here on earth is passing. Pray that through prayer you may yearn for Heaven and the things of Heaven and your hearts will see everything differently. You are not alone; I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion. Little children, open your hearts to the grace to which you are all called.

In many previous messages, the Virgin Mary often said, “Dear children, today I call you once again to conversion,” personally urging us toward repentance. However, in this month’s message, she says, "The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion.,” emphasizing that the ultimate source of this call is the Most High God Himself. This clarifies that the messages Mary conveys are ultimately God’s words, and she is the prophet sent by Him.
      Just as many prophets in the Old Testament were called to urge people to repentance when they strayed from God and His law, John the Baptist, the prophet who heralded the New Testament, was no exception. He appeared in the wilderness of Judea, crying out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2), preparing the way for Jesus. The Church celebrates the Feast of John the Baptist annually on June 24, and it was on this very day in 1981 that God first sent the Virgin Mary to Medjugorje. Just as John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming of Jesus through a call to repentance, so too did God send Mary as a prophet of repentance on this significant feast day.
       It is a great honor and a tremendous grace that God, through His prophet, the Virgin Mary, calls us once again to repentance. It is a profound privilege that the Almighty, who created the universe, still speaks to us, His insignificant creatures, maintaining a relationship with us. It is a grace because God is still patient with our sins, waiting for us and giving us another chance. We must open our hearts to this grace and respond with repentance. The best time to repent is the moment we hear God’s call. We should not delay or hesitate any longer, for time seems short. We must open our hearts to God and repent now, in the present moment.

Be witnesses of peace and love in this peaceless world. Your life here on earth is passing. Pray that through prayer you may yearn for Heaven and the things of Heaven and your hearts will see everything differently. 

As the Virgin Mary says, this world lacks peace. This is because people do not place God—the source of peace and peace itself—at the center of their lives. People do not live according to God’s Word. How can peace exist in the heart of someone who does not have God and who lives selfishly, relying only on their own strength and thoughts for their own sake? Mary tells us that her children must not live like this, but instead, must be witnesses of peace and love.
      To be witnesses of peace and love, we must first possess peace and love within ourselves. To achieve this, we must place God—who is peace and love itself—at the center of our hearts and lives. By living with God, through God, and with the strength that God gives us, we can become witnesses of peace and love in our actions.
      This world and everything in it are finite. As Mary reminds us, “Your life here on earth is passing.” Our life is indeed a precious gift from God, but it is not where we will remain forever. We are merely travelers passing through. Like a traveler, we may enjoy the journey, but we should not plant our roots here, knowing that it is temporary.
      Those who place all their hopes in this life and are consumed by material and worldly things, neglecting thoughts of eternity, live in a great illusion. Our eternal home is in Heaven, beyond this earthly life. Yet, it is difficult to constantly remain aware of this. That is why Mary encourages us to pray. She tells us to pray so that through prayer, we may begin to long for Heaven and heavenly things. Prayer changes our hearts, and when our hearts change, the way we see the world also changes. Through prayer, we begin to see everything through the eyes of Jesus, not our own.

You are not alone; I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Before His Passion, Jesus comforted His disciples, saying, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (Jn 14:18). And before His Ascension, He promised, “And behold, I am with you always, until the age” (Mt 28:20). Jesus assured His disciples that they would never be abandoned and that He would always be with them. Just as He promised, Jesus remains with us. Whenever you feel alone, go before the tabernacle in the church. The Eucharistic Jesus, present in the tabernacle, is with you. Open the scriptures and read the Gospels, for the Word, who is Jesus, will be with you.
      As Jesus was about to die on the cross, He gave His mother, the Virgin Mary, to the Apostle John—representing the Church and all humanity—as a mother to be with them (John 19:27). After Jesus’ Ascension, the apostles gathered and prayed with Mary (cf. Acts 1:14). Jesus ensured that where He was not physically present, Mary would be with the disciples, so they would not be left like orphans. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
       If you ever feel alone, remember the words of our mother Mary: “You are not alone. I am with you, and I intercede for you before my Son, Jesus.” Take up your rosary and pray. You will feel in your heart that as you hold the rosary, you are holding Mary’s hand.
   
 
 
April 25, 2017
"Dear children! Love, pray and witness my presence to all those who are far away. By your witness and example, you can draw closer the hearts that are far from God and His grace. I am with you and intercede for each of you so that, with love and resoluteness, you may witness and encourage all those who are far from my Immaculate Heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Love, pray and witness my presence to all those who are far away. By your witness and example, you can draw closer the hearts that are far from God and His grace. 

For Christians, love is a commandment. The commandment of love must be obeyed because the Lord Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34-35). Likewise, for Christians, prayer is just as essential as a commandment. Every Christian must pray because Jesus taught His disciples and the crowd about proper prayer and gave them the Lord's Prayer, saying they should pray in this way (cf. Mt 6:5-15). Jesus instructed His disciples to pray constantly without losing heart (cf. Lk 18:1-8), and to pray so that they would not fall into temptation (cf. Lk 22:40). Therefore, it is the duty of every disciple of Jesus to pray.
      Love and prayer are like the two wings of a bird that allow Christians to soar toward God. Just as a bird cannot fly with only one wing, a Christian who either neglects love or prayer cannot reach true spiritual fulfillment. If a Christian only loves but does not pray, they are no different from a humanistic philanthropist. On the other hand, if they pray without love, they may become a selfish religious person. Prayer should direct us toward love, and love should be completed in prayer. A true Christian is one who loves while praying and prays while loving. Such Christians are capable of drawing hearts that are far from God and His grace closer to Him.

I am with you and intercede for each of you so that, with love and resoluteness, you may witness and encourage all those who are far from my Immaculate Heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.

There are many ways to reach Jesus, but the easiest, fastest, safest, and most perfect way is through the Virgin Mary. God Himself, Jesus, came into the world through Mary, and in His final moments, He entrusted His disciple and His Church to her care, making Mary the best path to reach Him. Before Mary conceived Jesus in her body, she had already accepted Him into her heart—her Immaculate Heart—which was the palace where Jesus always dwelled.
      As Jesus prepares for His return, He first sends Mary to us. At the apparitions in Fatima from May 13 to October 13, 1917, Mary revealed that her Immaculate Heart would ultimately triumph. Her Immaculate Heart is the Ark of Salvation, into which all humanity must enter. If we consecrate ourselves entirely to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and decide to live in her heart always, she will safely and perfectly lead us to Jesus.
      However, Mary does not only want us to enter into her heart. She desires that all who have distanced themselves from her Immaculate Heart also return. We have a duty to bring them into her heart, as we are apostles of her Immaculate Heart. Mary is with us, interceding for us so that we may faithfully carry out this mission.
   
 
 
March 25, 2017
"Dear children! In this time of grace, I am calling all of you to open your hearts to God’s mercy, to begin a new life through prayer, penance and a decision for holiness. This time of spring moves you to a new life, to a renewal, in your thoughts and hearts. Therefore, little children, I am with you to help you to say 'yes' to God and to God’s commandments with resoluteness. You are not alone; I am with you through the grace which the Most High gives me for you and your descendants. Thank you for having responded to my call." 

Dear children! In this time of grace, I am calling all of you to open your hearts to God’s mercy, to begin a new life through prayer, penance and a decision for holiness. This time of spring moves you to a new life, to a renewal, in your thoughts and hearts. 

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus shares the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This parable was addressed to those who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others. Two men went up to the temple to pray—one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood proudly by himself and prayed, "God, I thank You that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." The Pharisee appeared so confident before God, standing tall, thanking God for his superiority over others, and boasting about his religious duties.
      In contrast, the tax collector stood at a distance, unable even to raise his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his chest and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." He stood far from the temple, likely because he viewed it as a holy place where God dwells, and he, as a sinner, felt unworthy to come close. He could not even look up to heaven but bowed his head in humility, fearing God. He struck his chest, acknowledging his sinfulness and pleading for God’s mercy. We, too, strike our chests during the Confiteor at Mass or in other prayers of repentance, confessing our sins and taking responsibility. Jesus said it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified.
      The call of the Virgin Mary to "open your hearts to God's mercy during this time of grace" is a call to become like the tax collector. To open our hearts to God's mercy, we must first recognize that we are sinners and that we absolutely need His mercy. A person who thinks they are without sin and perfect will not seek God's mercy or open their heart to it. Only those who fear God, confess their sins, and humble themselves before Him can receive and understand His mercy.
      The Blessed Mother also says, "I am calling all of you to begin a new life through prayer, penance and a decision for holiness.” If we do not pray with true humility, we can all become like Pharisee in the parable. The Pharisee called upon God's name but did not truly know Him. The tax collector, praying with humility and contrition, knew who God truly was. We must pray with the heart of the tax collector, calling on God's name, doing penance for our sins and the sins of the world, and living a holy life, thus renewing our lives.
      Winter has passed, and spring has come. Everything that was frozen and closed off during the winter now opens up to the warmth of the sun and follows its course. The once yellowed grass is turning green, and new buds are sprouting on the trees. Nature does not resist or oppose its course but surrenders and follows it. Lent is our spiritual springtime. It is a time to fully surrender to God's mercy and allow Him to renew everything within us with His strength, opening our hearts and souls to Him.

Therefore, little children, I am with you to help you to say 'yes' to God and to God’s commandments with resoluteness. You are not alone; I am with you through the grace which the Most High gives me for you and your descendants. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Hebrews, who later became the people of Israel, were slaves in Egypt for 430 years. Seeing their suffering, God sent Moses to liberate them from Pharaoh's oppression. God intended to lead them to the Promised Land of Canaan, but to purify them, they wandered in the desert for 40 years before entering that land. During this time, the Israelites witnessed many miraculous signs performed by God through Moses—things that were impossible by human strength alone. Yet, when they became thirsty, they grumbled and doubted God's power (cf. Ex 17). When Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, and he delayed in coming down, the people pressured Aaron into making a golden calf to worship as their god (cf. Ex 32).
      From this, we realize how difficult it is to remain faithful to God and His commandments. That is why, through Moses, God instructed the people to love Him and faithfully keep His commandments: “If, then, you truly listen to my commandments which I give you today, loving and serving the Lord, your God, with your whole heart and your whole being, I will give the seasonal rain to your land, the early rain* and the late rain, that you may have your grain, wine and oil to gather in; and I will bring forth grass in your fields for your animals. Thus you may eat and be satisfied. But be careful lest your heart be so lured away that you serve other gods and bow down to them" (Dt 11:13-16).
      Moses played the role of reminding the Israelites to stay faithful to God and His commandments. Today, we also need someone like Moses. Therefore, God sends us the Virgin Mary to help us say a firm "yes" to Him and His commandments. We are much weaker than we think, easily tempted and led astray. Our strength alone is not enough. We must constantly call upon Mary, "Hail Mary, full of grace," asking for her help so that we can respond with a firm "yes" to God and His commandments, just as she did during her life.
      In the words, “I am with you through the grace which the Most High gives me for you and your descendants.” we find hope. God is not only granting grace to us but also to our descendants through Mary. God's grace for our descendants will continue into the future. Therefore, we have a future, and we have hope.
   
 
 
February 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today I am calling you to profoundly live your faith and to implore the Most High to strengthen it, so that winds and storms cannot break it. May the roots of your faith be prayer and hope in eternal life. Already now, little children, work on yourselves in this time of grace, wherein God is giving you the grace - through renunciation and the call to conversion - to be people of clear and persevering faith and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call." 

Dear children! Today I am calling you to profoundly live your faith and to implore the Most High to strengthen it, so that winds and storms cannot break it. May the roots of your faith be prayer and hope in eternal life. 

After performing the miracle of feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus urged his disciples to take a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He went up the mountain alone to pray. By evening, Jesus was still there alone. The boat with the disciples was being battered by waves as it faced strong winds. In the early morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. The disciples were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter responded, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus told him to come, and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. However, when he saw the strong wind, he became frightened and began to sink, crying out for Jesus to save him. Jesus took Peter's hand and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind died down” (Mt 14:22-32).
      Peter believed that if Jesus commanded him, he could walk on the water, and his faith was fulfilled. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus and walked toward Him, everything was fine. But when he saw the strong wind, fear overtook him, and he began to sink. Jesus saved him and rebuked his weak faith. From Peter’s experience, we can reflect on how difficult it is to live with wholehearted faith. Peter was always with Jesus, witnessing His power, healing, and miracles firsthand. Just the day before, Peter saw Jesus feed five thousand men (not counting women and children) with five loaves and two fish. Yet, despite seeing Jesus walking on the water right before him, Peter allowed fear to take over due to the strong wind, forgetting that Jesus was right there. If Peter had kept his focus on Jesus and continued walking toward Him, he would not have sunk, no matter how strong the wind.
      The true measure of our faith is not revealed when everything is going smoothly, but when we face trials and difficulties. Just as Peter experienced, every disciple of Jesus will encounter trials and adversities similar to those faced by others in the world. However, believers in Jesus should not fear the challenges in front of them. Instead, they must trust that Jesus is always with them, even in those moments, and surrender everything to Him. If we pray for our faith to be strengthened, as the Virgin Mary encourages, no wind or storm will be able to break it. During difficult and trying times, recalling the following scripture passage can provide great comfort:
      “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. For I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. I give Egypt as ransom for you, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you and nations in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; from the east I will bring back your offspring,

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west” (Is 43:1-5).

Already now, little children, work on yourselves in this time of grace, wherein God is giving you the grace - through renunciation and the call to conversion - to be people of clear and persevering faith and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call.

It is never too late to become a new person in God. He patiently waits for us to repent and return to Him, so that we may live a holy life. This moment is a time of grace for all of us. God is waiting for us, allowing us time to repent and return to Him for our salvation and peace. Even if we have lived in sin, and even if we are still living a sinful life now, if we decide to repent and live a new life, God will help us with His grace and rejoice over our return.
      The Apostle Paul says, “If we persevere, we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Ti 2:12-13). Because of this, we can always have hope in God, trusting in His faithfulness.
      Now is the time to respond to God’s call for repentance and to renounce worldly and sinful ways. Let us not miss this precious time of grace. Let us heed the words of Jesus and use this moment to repent fully and reform our lives for our salvation: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life... We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12; 9:4-5).
   
 
 
January 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today I am calling you to pray for peace: peace in human hearts, peace in the families and peace in the world. Satan is strong and wants to turn all of you against God, and to return you to everything that is human, and to destroy in the heart all feelings towards God and the things of God. You, little children, pray and fight against materialism, modernism and egoism, which the world offers to you. Little children, you decide for holiness and I, with my Son Jesus, intercede for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today I am calling you to pray for peace: peace in human hearts, peace in the families and peace in the world.

On June 24, 1981, the Virgin Mary appeared for the first time in Medjugorje. The next day, on the 25th, all six visionaries gathered together on Apparition Hill and witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary. On the third day, June 26, the Virgin Mary introduced herself as the "Queen of Peace." After the apparition to the six children on the hill, Mary appeared again to the visionary Marija as they were descending the hill. The pilgrimage guide Miki Musa described that apparition as follows: "That day, the third apparition to Marija was completely cold and cloudy. The Virgin Mary appeared with a cross beside her. Tears welled up in her eyes. At that moment, she gave her first message to the world: 'My beloved children, peace, peace, peace. Peace must be established between God and people. And peace must be established among all people.'" The message of 'peace' was the first message Mary gave to the world, and it has been a central theme in many of her subsequent messages. In this month’s message, she again speaks of peace: "Dear children! Today I am calling you to pray for peace: peace in human hearts, peace in the families and peace in the world.” Mary knows well how much peace is lacking in the hearts of people, in families, and in the world today, and so she calls us to pray for peace in these areas. Every time we attend Mass, just before Communion, we exchange a sign of peace. Even if the people around us are not personally close to us, we smile and wish them peace. With that same heart, we must pray and wish for peace to reign in the hearts of all people, in all families, and throughout the entire world. The following psalm should echo in our hearts always: "I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city, walled round about. There the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as it was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. There are the thrones of justice, the thrones of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your ramparts, prosperity within your towers.” For the sake of my brothers and friends I say, “Peace be with you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord, our God, I pray for your good" (Ps 122).

Satan is strong and wants to turn all of you against God, and to return you to everything that is human, and to destroy in the heart all feelings towards God and the things of God.

As the Virgin Mary said, Satan is strong. Because he is a supernatural spiritual being, he is stronger than we might think. Even the Apostle Paul, who said, "For to me life is Christ... For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him" (Phil 1:21; 3:8-9), expressed his struggle against evil and Satan’s power as follows: "What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want
Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand” (Rom 7:15-21). Even though we may not always realize it, Satan certainly exists and wants to turn us away from God. His sole purpose is to separate us from God and lead us down the path of destruction, to hell. To achieve this, Satan cunningly tempts us with his supernatural powers. He leads us to be captivated by worldly, materialistic, and purely human things, causing us to sin. After falling into temptation and committing sin, our hearts darken, and we begin to avoid God. The feelings we had toward God are destroyed, and we lose the desire to pray. If we experience such things happening to us, we must recognize that Satan is behind them. On October 13, 1884, after receiving a vision of the 100-year period of Satan's reign, Pope Leo XIII composed the following prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which was to be recited at the end of every Mass. Although this prayer is no longer recited after Mass since the Second Vatican Council, in today's times, when Satan's influence is more rampant than ever, it is necessary to recite this prayer frequently and daily.
      "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."

You, little children, pray and fight against materialism, modernism and egoism, which the world offers to you. Little children, you decide for holiness and I, with my Son Jesus, intercede for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Virgin Mary calls us her dear children. To her, all people in the world are like little children. Regardless of how much power, position, or wealth one may have, everyone looks small and young in her eyes. We, who are small and weak, have only one way to fight against Satan’s great power and the materialism, modernism, and selfishness the world presents to us: to pray. We must entrust ourselves to God, rely on His strength, and believe in the power of His name. We must choose holiness. Then we can be like David, the young shepherd who defeated the giant Goliath with a single stone (cf. 1 Sm 17). With the intercession of Mary and Jesus, we can receive their strength and become warriors for God, like David.
   
 
 
December 25, 2016
"Dear children! With great joy, today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Open your hearts, little children, and be joyful that you can receive it. Heaven is with you and is fighting for peace in your hearts, in the families and in the world; and you, little children, help with your prayers for it to be so. I bless you with my Son Jesus and call you not to lose hope; and for your gaze and heart to always be directed towards Heaven and eternity. In this way, you will be open to God and to His plans. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! With great joy, today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Open your hearts, little children, and be joyful that you can receive it. Heaven is with you and is fighting for peace in your hearts, in the families and in the world; and you, little children, help with your prayers for it to be so. 

Just as the Blessed Mother brought Jesus to us on His first Christmas in Bethlehem, through Medjugorje, she continues to bring Jesus to us today. The reason the Blessed Mother has been appearing daily for 35 and a half years is to bring us Jesus, who desires to give us His peace, and to help us open our hearts so that we can receive His peace. Just as the shepherds of Bethlehem were filled with joy when they went to the cave and saw Jesus lying in the manger, as the angel had told them, and just as the wise men from the East rejoiced to see the Savior and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we too must open our hearts, joyfully welcome Jesus, and gratefully receive the gift of peace that He offers.
      Jesus Himself is Heaven. Every time the Mass is celebrated, Jesus comes to us, and Heaven descends to earth. Through His birth at Christmas and His presence at every Mass, Jesus continues to bring Heaven to remain with us here on earth. Jesus desires that our hearts, our families, and the world may fully accept Him, and thus be filled with peace, becoming like Heaven.
      The Blessed Mother and Jesus are fighting tirelessly to fill our hearts, families, and the world with the peace that Jesus offers. We are called to join their efforts. The Blessed Mother tells us, "Therefore, dear children, help heaven with your prayers so that it may succeed." We may not fully comprehend how much our prayers can help, but if they can be of any assistance, we must willingly offer them to help heaven through our prayers.

I bless you with my Son Jesus and call you not to lose hope; and for your gaze and heart to always be directed towards Heaven and eternity. In this way, you will be open to God and to His plans. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The more blessings we receive, the better. The Blessed Mother blesses us together with her Son, Jesus, meaning we receive a double blessing. The blessings we receive are heavenly blessings, incomparable to any earthly blessings. Who are we to receive such heavenly blessings, let alone a double portion of them? It is an amazing and awe-inspiring gift, one for which we should offer unceasing gratitude. As insignificant as we are, we receive these heavenly blessings, and we should rejoice in this fact. Like the psalmist, we should continually ask, "What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him?" (Ps 8:5).
       As we receive the blessings of Jesus and the Blessed Mother, we are always under their care. Therefore, we must never lose hope, no matter the circumstances. To live forever with them in heaven, where they dwell, we must keep our eyes and hearts fixed on heaven and eternity. The Blessed Mother is here to help us, and she is calling us to this very purpose. Everything we need is being given to us. We only need to open our hearts, give thanks, and respond. Let us continually pray, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," and open our hearts in response.
   
 
 
November 25, 2016
"Dear children! Also today, I am calling you to return to prayer. In this time of grace, God has permitted me to lead you towards holiness and a simple life - that in little things you discover God the Creator; that you fall in love with Him; and that your life be a thanksgiving to the Most High for everything He is giving you. Little children, in love, may your life be a gift for others and God will bless you; but you, witness without interest - out of love for God. I am with you and intercede before my Son for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Also today, I am calling you to return to prayer. In this time of grace, God has permitted me to lead you towards holiness and a simple life - that in little things you discover God the Creator; that you fall in love with Him; and that your life be a thanksgiving to the Most High for everything He is giving you. 

The Blessed Mother's coming to this earth is God's will. As she says in this month's message, she is coming with God's permission to lead us to holiness and a simple life. This means that ultimately, God desires us to live a holy and simple life. So how can we live a holy and simple life? The answer is quite simple: through prayer. If we pray, we can live a holy and simple life. That is why the Blessed Mother says, "Dear children! Also today, I am calling you to return to prayer."
      A simple life in which you discover the Creator God in small things, fall in love with Him, and let your life become a thanksgiving offering to the Most High for everything He is giving you.
The Blessed Mother tells us that only through prayer can we live a holy and simple life. She then explains what a simple life specifically entails. A simple life means discovering the Creator God in small things. What are the small things in which we can discover the Creator? They may be the everyday occurrences that we don't consciously notice or assign great significance to. For example, the sun, moon, and stars rise and set every day, and the seasons change to sustain life on earth. The Creator God, who made us and all living things, continues to do great things for us every day, though we often fail to notice them. If we recognize that the sun rises and sets daily because God commands it to, we realize that even things we previously didn't notice or thought insignificant are, in fact, immense blessings. Moreover, think about the fact that we breathe to stay alive every moment. It may seem natural and insignificant, but without God's permission, we would not be able to live even for a second, and our bodies would be lifeless as soon as we stop breathing.
      Secondly, the Blessed Mother tells us that a simple life means falling in love with God. True love requires no calculation. A person with an undivided heart can love. When we truly fall in love, we often say we are "blinded by love" for someone. To fall in love with God, we must be "blinded" by Him—giving no attention to anything else but God. When our hearts are entirely focused on Him, falling in love with God becomes a simple life.
      Finally, the Blessed Mother says that when our life becomes a thanksgiving offering for everything God is giving us, that is a simple life. To live this kind of life, we must first reflect on everything God has given us. How can we give thanks if we don't even know what we have received? And we must first find and give thanks for the small things we may have overlooked or taken for granted. The Blessed Mother has said, "If you are grateful for the small things, you will also be grateful for the big things." Our gratitude to God should be expressed concretely in our lives—through prayer, attending Mass, and performing acts of charity for others. We should express gratitude every morning, every evening, and in every moment. This is the simple life the Blessed Mother teaches us, and the simple life God desires for us.

Little children, in love, may your life be a gift for others and God will bless you; but you, witness without interest - out of love for God. I am with you and intercede before my Son for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul speaks of love, saying, "If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing" (v. 3). The Blessed Mother's words, "Dear children, I hope that in love, your life becomes a gift for others," echo this sentiment. Without love, our lives cannot become a gift for others. This is why the Blessed Mother emphasizes the phrase "in love." The reason we must become a gift for others in love is simple—God, who is Love itself, has given everything to us out of love. Therefore, we cannot help but love Him, and we cannot help but give thanks to Him. As Jesus said, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8). Since we have received everything freely from God, we must give freely, expecting nothing in return. Our selflessness will bring joy to God, and He will bless us even more.
   
 
 
October 25, 2016
"Dear children! Today I am calling you: pray for peace. Leave selfishness and live the messages which I am giving you. Without them, you cannot change your life. By living prayer, you will have peace. By living in peace, you will feel the need to witness, because you will discover God whom you now feel to be far away. Therefore, little children, pray, pray, pray and permit God to enter into your hearts. Return to fasting and confession so as to overcome the evil in you and around you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today I am calling you: pray for peace. Leave selfishness and live the messages which I am giving you. Without them, you cannot change your life. 

King Solomon, the son of David, went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. There, the Lord appeared to him in a dream at night and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered, "O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, but I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request and said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have you asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” (1 Kgs 3:4-14, paraphrased).
      Through this story, we learn what we should ask for in our prayers and the focus of our intentions. God highly valued Solomon, who thought of the people before himself and asked for wisdom and discernment to govern them well. Solomon’s request to govern the people justly and distinguish right from wrong was granted, and he also received wealth and honor that he did not ask for, as well as a promise of a long life on the condition of obedience.
      In this month's message, the Blessed Mother says, "Dear children! Today I am calling you to pray for peace." When she asks us to "pray for peace," no possessive pronoun precedes the word "peace." The Blessed Mother is calling us to pray for peace—peace for all. It is peace for our neighbors, for our country, and for the world. What we must ask for before God is precisely this peace. To pray for peace for all, we must not put ourselves first. That is why the Blessed Mother says, "Leave selfishness and live the messages which I am giving you. Without them, you cannot change your life.”

By living prayer, you will have peace. By living in peace, you will feel the need to witness, because you will discover God whom you now feel to be far away.

When we pray sincerely for the peace of all people and the world, without first considering our own comfort, we will also share in this gift of peace. God will see our sincere prayers for the peace of others and will grant us an immense peace in our hearts and lives that we had not even thought of. We will also deeply experience that God is near us. Thus, praying for the peace of all people and the world ultimately becomes a prayer for our own peace and a time to experience God more deeply in our lives.

Therefore, little children, pray, pray, pray and permit God to enter into your hearts. 

Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with" (Rev 3:20). Just like this, Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, asking us to open it. Now it is our turn. We must first listen to the voice of Jesus, who is knocking and asking to be let in, and then open the door for Him. How can this happen? It can only happen through prayer. Through prayer, we can hear His voice knocking at the door of our hearts, and only through prayer can we open that door for Him. That is why the Blessed Mother says, "Therefore, dear children, pray, pray, and pray, and let God enter your hearts." Not just pray once, but like the triple repetition used to emphasize finality, "pray, pray, and pray." She calls us to pray with all our strength and with all our hearts.

Return to fasting and confession so as to overcome the evil in you and around you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Blessed Mother has already asked us to fast on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays and to go to confession at least once a month. She says, " Return to fasting and confession so as to overcome the evil in you and around you," making the purpose clear. Although fasting and confession have many other effects, the Blessed Mother teaches in this month's message that they give us the strength to overcome the evil within us and around us. Indeed, fasting and confession have an exorcistic effect, helping us to overcome and cast out the evil within us and around us, and the devil, the source of that evil. Let us live according to her message and change our lives by fasting and going to confession, as she said, "Live according to the messages I am giving you. Without my messages, you cannot change your lives."
   
 
 
September 25, 2016
"Dear children! Today, I am calling you to prayer. May prayer be life to you. Only in this way will your heart be filled with peace and joy. God will be near you and you will feel Him in your heart as a friend. You will speak with Him as with someone whom you know and, little children, you will have a need to witness, because Jesus will be in your heart and you, united in Him. I am with you and love all of you with my motherly love. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today, I am calling you to prayer. May prayer be life to you. 

The Blessed Mother calls us to prayer and wishes for prayer to become our life. How much prayer is necessary for it to become our life? Just as continuous breathing sustains life, we must fill our day with prayer so that prayer becomes our life. Does this mean we should neglect all other things we need to do to maintain our daily lives? No, it doesn’t. Prayer must become the center of our lives, and our lives should harmonize with prayer. A good example of this is when the Blessed Mother, in the early days of the Medjugorje apparitions, directly led the prayer group of young people through the visionaries. She taught them how to pray and prayed the rosary with them. One day, while praying the rosary with the children, she stopped after the third decade and said to them, "Let us stop here for today. As you walk home, pray the fourth decade. When you arrive home, do your homework, help with housework, and pray the fifth decade before you go to bed. And when you go to sleep, the spirit of prayer will continue to pray with you while you sleep." In this way, the Blessed Mother taught the children how to make prayer the center of their lives and how to harmonize prayer with daily life.

Only in this way will your heart be filled with peace and joy. God will be near you and you will feel Him in your heart as a friend. You will speak with Him as with someone whom you know.

The phrase "only through this way" shows us that the Blessed Mother teaches that prayer is the only way to attain peace and joy in our hearts. Peace and joy are the fruits of prayer, and they are gifts of grace bestowed by God. So, if you have not yet felt peace and joy in your heart, follow the Blessed Mother's call and start praying. If you have already prayed but still do not feel peace and joy in your heart, double or triple the amount of prayer you offer from your heart. Pray until prayer becomes your life.
      To become close to someone, we must start a conversation and continue talking with them to deepen our relationship. In the same way, to grow closer to God, we must communicate with Him, and the means to do this is through prayer. Through prayer, we can become close to God, and through continued prayer, we experience His presence near us. As we keep praying, our intimacy with God deepens. God becomes no longer distant but a close friend to us. Therefore, we should remember that prayer is not primarily about asking for something but about becoming closer to God.

And, little children, you will have a need to witness, because Jesus will be in your heart and you, united in Him. I am with you and love all of you with my motherly love. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The effects of prayer do not end there. Through prayer, Jesus becomes our friend, and because of this, He does not leave us. Just as we do not want to part from someone we are close to and always want to be with them, Jesus, who has become our friend, does not want to leave us. He wants to remain in our hearts and be one with us. When we are people of prayer and Jesus dwells in our hearts and is united with us, this will naturally be reflected in our faces, words, and actions. If we do not pray, or if we do not invite Jesus into our hearts and become one with Him, we cannot be witnesses to Him.
   
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