"..so that the thoughts of many made be laid bare."

I have always been intrigued by Simeon's prophetic word to Mary at Jesus' Presentation in the Temple. Not many people even acknowledge or pay attention to this part of Scripture and yet we know that the Bible is inspired by God. Some of the newer Bibles quote it this way:
"...and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  Lk. 2:35
I prefer the older version- "And a sword will pierce your own heart so the thoughts of many may be laid bare." Interesting statement made by Simeon, it never fails to fascinate me. The first part is easy to understand for Mary's heart was pierced by many sorrows. To watch your son being crucified is the ultimate sorrow a mother could bear. Mary lived in the Divine Will and once again, just as she gave her "Fiat" at The Annunciation so we see her do this once again beneath the Cross as she again accepts the will of the Father. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary were united in the Divine Will. It's the second part of the prophecy that I often find myself pondering on - "so that the thoughts of many may be laid bare."  In this prophetic word we see the power that God bestows on Mother Mary. Through her sorrow hearts will be laid bare. What powerful words! What an amazing mother and intercessor we have in Mary! She helps lay our hearts bare before the Lord! No wonder so many people have a devotion to her. Me included. She has helped me bare my heart before the Lord through her intercession and continues to do so. Gently and lovingly my spiritual mother is raising me just as she brought up Jesus. I am her child. Jesus gave her to us on the Cross, "Behold your mother." Everything in Scripture is divinely inspired and certainly every word spoken by Jesus on the Cross echoed into eternity. Who could doubt this?
I happen to believe that this prophetic word spoken by Simeon has an even greater significance. Over the years many saints and prophets have spoken about an "enlightenment of conscience" or a "mini-judgment". I believe that this will happen and is a grace obtained by Mary. A fulfillment of the prophetic word, "...so that the thoughts of many may be laid bare."

Just a thought :)

A link to the newest Medjugorje message

In God's Company 2

Ark of the Covenant

Why do Catholics sometimes refer to Mary as the Ark of the Covenant?

Because our Dear Lady is The Ark of the Covenant! An Ark is a container. Noah's ark became a saving vehicle; a precurser to the later Ark of the Covenant that contained the written word of God. Mary is the vehicle, or container if you will, that held the WORD MADE FLESH! The true Word of God. She is the salvific vehicle through which the Savior of the world was born. God stressed the perfection and the holiness of the Ark of the Covenant to point out the holiness of Mary - the New Ark of the Covenant. Jesus is the Covenant, Mary is the Ark. This may not go over well with a few of my brothers and sisters in Christ so I will try to explain it through Holy Scripture in my next post . Bear with me, please:)

Latest Medjugorje message

You can read Our Lady's most recent message and a reflection on it at In God's Company 2. Great site!

A link for Catholic bloggers

Check out this post at Catholic Fire on the Pope and Catholic bloggers :)

March 25th - Medjugorje message from Our Lady

You can read this month's message from Our Lady here: In God's Company 2

Medjugorje

I  like to read the messages that come out of Medugorje each month; they are always beautiful and touch my heart. I believe Mother Mary is really appearing there and has been for many years. Everyone that I have met who has been to Medjugorje has nothing but wonderful things to say about their visit there. My mom went when I was in my early twenties and came back on fire for God. She said the Holy Spirit is doing wonderful work there. One of my rosaries came from Medjugorje and it's my favorite pair. The Church has not ruled on Medjugorje yet and pilgrims are allowed to visit there, so I will continue to read the messages and take these beautiful words to heart unless the Church forbids it. A lady I know went to hear Ivan, one of the visionaries, speak in Massachusetts this past Sunday. The gist of the talk was:

-Pray every day
-Attend Mass as often as possible
-Read your Bible
-Confess your sins
-Spend more time with your family, especially your children. Teach them to pray and teach them about God. Live your faith so that your children may see by example. Our Lady is concerned about the young people in our world, we are failing to teach them how to live holy lives.
-Meditate on the Passion of Christ

Interesting link - Interesting site

http://christtotheworld.blogspot.com/2010/02/description-of-hell-medjugorje.html

Bitter Herb

When my heart is sad or I am hurting in some way, I know I can always turn to Our Lady for help. From childhood I have had a close bond with Mother Mary, even when I fell away from the Church I still asked for her intercession and help in my life. I have no doubt that she has obtained many, many graces and miracles for me. I trust her. She is my greatest role model, after Jesus. I often find myself meditating on Our Lady and the central role she played in her Son's life.

One of the things I noticed about Mary is the significance of her name. One of the meanings is bitter herb. This fascinated me because according to the Bible, during passover, the Jewish people dressed the passover lamb with bitter herb. During the passion of Christ, the true Lamb of God, Mary intimately shared in the Lamb's bitter passion. One might say: The One true Lamb of God was dressed with bitter herb [Mary] as, hearts united, they suffered together. As Simeon prophesied, her own heart was pierced by a sword, spiritually, as Jesus' heart was pierced, physically, by a soldier. How immense her interior suffering must have been!  Her name was not a coincidence. No way.

Thank you,  Mother Mary, for loving us so much. You withheld nothing from God and lived totally in His Will. Intercede for us, that we may also become utterly His. Amen

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

"...and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn."                    Lk 2:7

Lord Jesus, there was no room at the inn at your birth. May you find the chambers of our hearts ready and waiting for you. And may all find rest in the Sacred Chambers of your Merciful Heart this Christmas Day. Happy Birthday, Jesus.