All the signs God gives are there for our benefit. They may appear to
some as negative, burdensome signs. Perhaps we view them in this way
because we don't want to face up to the reality that recognizing God's
signs and obeying Him causes us to change…and change, sometimes, can be
painful. It's difficult to leave a particular comfort zone to which we
have grown accustomed. That's the nature of the beast…and that's the
nature the beast of darkness takes in getting us to compromise, to
rationalize our way around everything. Just as seasons change and each
seasonal period has purpose, so also in our spiritual lives. God's signs
are there to help all of us to change, to be guided back to Him. That is
the only road we can afford to take.
In our daily travels around town, we've all passed the warning sign
CHILDREN AT PLAY cautioning us to slow down. But God also gives the sign
that says: "LOOK AND LISTEN< CHILDRE AT PRAYER! Yes, we are all God's
children. He calls us "His children." Jesus went out of His way to
emphasize this in the Gospels, stating in Matthew 18:3, "Amen I say to you,
unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven." Likewise, Christ's invitation to "Let the little
children come to Me and do not hinder them, for of such is the Kingdom of
God." (cf. Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, and Luke 18:16) brings home the
analogy of being His children and as children we must be child-like, not
childish. God knows only too well that as children we will make many
mistakes, do things adults wouldn't do, and not always understand what is
being told to us. No wonder He calls us "children." The evangelists St.
Paul and St. John used the tern "little children" in addressing the crowds
as evidenced in Galatians and 1 John; and adults far outnumbered the few
actual children among the crowds. So also, Our Lady calls us "little
children" in her messages and apparitions. There were three little
children at Fatima. The visionaries at Medjugorje were indeed children
when the apparitions first began over 15 years ago. Even though they've
all matured into young adults, they are still considered "little children"
because they understand the way of spiritual childhood. There were
children at LaSalette, too. In fact, in all the messages imparted to
visionaries and messengers down through the centuries, down through the
decades, the Mother of God and her Divine Son Himself have called us
"children" "or that is indeed what we are called to be.
As children, we are traveling down the JUBILEE INTERSTATE, 1-2000 toward a
new millennium. What will happen in the coming years only God knows, but
He's given us a pretty clear indication through the many apparitions of His
Blessed Mother.
This is the time of change. Ultimately, God's Will shall be done on earth
as it is in Heaven. We are coming to that time known as the fulfillment of
the "Our Father", and the Reign of the Sacred Heart which will be ushered
in by the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. But to arrive at this
destination, the other changes are not going to be easy, nor pleasant
world-wise, unless we have our spiritual vehicles well-tuned and aligned
with all Holy Mother Church teaches, and our eyes focuses on the signs of
these critical times.
What we must do, and seek to do with our whole being, is to be steadfast
in the faith give to us as a gift from God; to adhere with loving obedience
to all the Roman Catholic Church and her Magisterium teaches; to turn a
deaf ear to the deafening, illogical cry of the "political correct" jargon
that is hollow and meaningless in the overall scope of God's master plan.
Jesus has instructed us to "Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate
and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who
enter that way. How narrow the gate and close the way that leads to life!
And few there are who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14).
Yes, He has made it very clear that it will be a difficult road, but not
impossible. He loves us so much that in these troubled times, when the
potholes of the world, flesh and the devil have swallowed up so many
traveling the road of life, He has sent His Own Emissary - His Own Blessed
and Immaculate Mother to be a guide for us, to point out the signs and lead
us by the hand and heart through the minefields set by satan to thwart us
from our destination to Mary's Divine Son Jesus.
In the next installment we will study the Signs of the Sacraments and other helpful guides
in the rich Deposit of Faith.