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Fr. Stephen Shin’s Reflections on the Messages
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September 25, 2017
"Dear children! I am calling you to be generous in renunciation, fasting and prayer for all those who are in temptation, and are your brothers and sisters. In a special way I am imploring you to pray for priests and for all the consecrated, that they may love Jesus still more fervently; that the Holy Spirit may fill their hearts with joy; that they may witness Heaven and Heavenly mysteries. Many souls are in sin, because there are not those who sacrifice themselves and pray for their conversion. I am with you and am praying that your hearts may be filled with joy. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am calling you to be generous in renunciation, fasting and prayer for all those who are in temptation, and are your brothers and sisters. 

In her August message, the Virgin Mary mentioned that Satan is strong. Satan, with little time left, is relentlessly trying to drag as many people as possible into the abyss of sin. Although this month’s message does not directly mention Satan, the phrase "those facing temptation" implies that Mary is referring to Satan’s influence.
      Satan has been a tempter since the creation of the world. He tempted Eve, the first mother of humanity, leading her and Adam into original sin, causing them to lose eternal life. Satan also attempted to tempt Jesus, the Son of God, in the wilderness for forty days, but Jesus resisted his temptations. Now, in these final times, Satan is using every possible evil, such as addiction to drugs, immorality, gambling, and greed for wealth and power, to lure humanity—including Christians—into sin.
      We may not be fully aware of how many people are struggling with Satan's temptations or falling into sin. However, Mary knows everything and reminds us that those who are tempted are our brothers and sisters. She urges us to help them by fasting, praying, and sacrificing for their sake, knowing that our efforts will give them the strength to overcome temptation. To respond to this message, we must first think of those around us who are struggling with temptation and pray, fast, and sacrifice for them, as well as for countless others who are unknown to us but are also under Satan's influence.
       Our spiritual solidarity with those facing temptation will weaken Satan's grip and ultimately protect us from his temptations as well. We must also remember that none of us are free from Satan's temptations. Just as we pray for others, we must also rely on their prayers and sacrifices to protect us from falling into sin. Together, we can draw strength from knowing that others are praying and sacrificing for us as we do for them.

In a special way I am imploring you to pray for priests and for all the consecrated, that they may love Jesus still more fervently; that the Holy Spirit may fill their hearts with joy; that they may witness Heaven and Heavenly mysteries. 

The Second Vatican Council, in its document Presbyterorum Ordinis, speaks about the priesthood, saying, “Through this ministry, the Church is constantly being built up on earth as the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” Priests are an extraordinary gift from Jesus to the Church. They bring the living Jesus into the world every day through the Eucharist and administer the sacraments, such as confession, allowing the streams of mercy and grace to flow from Heaven to Earth. They also preach the Word of God, making the Gospel resound and helping people live in its blessings. Without priests, the Church cannot exist, and they play a central role in its life and growth.
       Religious brothers and sisters are also treasures of the Church. The Second Vatican Council, in Perfectae Caritatis, says, “From the very beginning of the Church, men and women have set out to follow Christ more freely and more closely by practicing the evangelical counsels... Many among them, prompted by the Holy Spirit, have also set up religious families... Such diversity marvelously contributes to the building up of the Church.” Religious life is a precious calling that strengthens the Church through prayer, sacrifice, and the living out of the Gospel in daily life.
      Mary specifically asks us to pray for priests and religious to love Jesus with greater passion. Their primary need, as Mary highlights, is love for Jesus—passionate, burning love. Without this, they cannot fully live out their vocations. Just as Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” before entrusting him with the care of His flock, so too must priests and religious love Jesus wholeheartedly to carry out His mission. Let us pray that they may deepen their love for Him.
       Priests and religious cannot find fulfillment in worldly pleasures. Only heavenly joy can bring them true happiness, which is why Mary asks us to pray that the Holy Spirit will fill them with joy. If we see a priest or religious struggling, we should pray to God the Father and ask the Holy Spirit to fill them with divine joy.
       Furthermore, priests and religious are called to bear witness to the mysteries of Heaven, surpassing worldly wisdom and knowledge. We must support them in prayer so that they can fulfill their mission, as their spiritual growth benefits the entire Church. Helping them grow spiritually ultimately helps us grow as well.

Many souls are in sin, because there are not those who sacrifice themselves and pray for their conversion. I am with you and am praying that your hearts may be filled with joy. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah teaches us the importance of righteous intercession. Because of their sinfulness, especially sexual immorality and homosexuality, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone. Before this happened, God revealed His plan to Abraham, and Abraham interceded on behalf of the cities, asking God to spare them if there were fifty righteous people. The number gradually decreased to ten, but there were not even ten righteous people, and the cities were destroyed. However, Abraham’s intercession saved his nephew Lot and his family.
       This biblical lesson is still relevant today. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, the world today is full of sin and shows little sign of repentance. There are not enough righteous people praying for the conversion of sinners.
       This year marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, where she appeared to the three children, Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. Her main message was that the world was full of sin, and God’s anger was overflowing. She urged people to pray and make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners.
      Now, 100 years later, Mary is giving the same message at Medjugorje: "Many souls remain in sin because there are no people willing to sacrifice and pray for their conversion." We are called to be the Abraham of our time, offering prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. We cannot respond like Cain, who said, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Gn 4:9). God is our Father, and we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of race, religion, gender, or nationality. If someone is in sin and heading toward destruction, we share in the responsibility for them.
       Mary prays for our hearts to be filled with joy, and in return, we should pray with her for the conversion of all souls and that the Holy Spirit fills every heart with divine joy. Let us join her in this mission.
   
 
 
August 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today I am calling you to be people of prayer. Pray until prayer becomes a joy for you and a meeting with the Most High. He will transform your hearts and you will become people of love and peace. Do not forget, little children, that Satan is strong and wants to draw you away from prayer. You, do not forget that prayer is the secret key of meeting with God. That is why I am with you to lead you. Do not give up on prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today I am calling you to be people of prayer. Pray until prayer becomes a joy for you and a meeting with the Most High. He will transform your hearts and you will become people of love and peace. 

Just as parents have dreams for their children, our Heavenly Mother, Mary, has dreams for us, her children. She does not wish for us to chase after worldly things such as status, wealth, or fame. Instead, she desires that we become people of prayer. Why does she call us to be people of prayer? Because prayer is what we need the most and what benefits us the most. Mary, knowing the immense good that comes from being a person of prayer, calls us to this for our own sake.
      To become a person of prayer, we do not need any special human qualifications. It is not reserved only for priests or religious. Anyone can become a person of prayer as long as they have the desire and commit themselves to pray daily with all their heart.
     If we respond to Mary’s call and become people of prayer, we will experience joy that the world cannot give. Prayer leads us closer to God, the true source of joy. This joy is unlike anything that people or material things can provide, and it will inspire us to deepen our prayer life.
      Prayer also brings us into an intimate encounter with God. When we become people of prayer, the distance between us and the Most High disappears. We realize that God is not distant or unreachable but present with us here and now. We come to know that He dwells with us and within us.
      Through prayer, our hearts meet God’s heart, and as a result, our hearts are transformed to become more like His. It is like metal placed in a furnace—it melts, losing its previous form, and becomes something new. Similarly, when we become people of prayer, God transforms our hearts, as He promised through the prophet Ezekiel: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
      Prayer drives out all negativity, such as hatred and anxiety, from our hearts, and instead fills us with love, peace, and all positive things. This is because when we pray, we invite the God of love and peace into our hearts.
      If the effects of prayer are so great, why hesitate to pray? From this moment, let us resolve to follow Mary’s call and become people of prayer, starting right now.

Do not forget, little children, that Satan is strong and wants to draw you away from prayer. You, do not forget that prayer is the secret key of meeting with God. That is why I am with you to lead you. Do not give up on prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Even when we make a firm resolution, we often fall into sin and drift away from prayer, not only because of our weak will but also due to Satan's influence. Satan is cunning and works subtly to tempt us and draw us away from prayer without us realizing it. He knows all too well that when we pray, we grow closer to God and align ourselves with Him, so Satan does everything he can to prevent us from praying. He distracts us with television, movies, the internet, magazines, or games, causing us to waste time on worldly pleasures. He makes us delay prayer, using excuses like busyness or fatigue, which ultimately weakens our desire to pray. Over time, we lose interest in prayer and become too worldly, no longer even yearning to pray.
      We must examine how much we are praying and how much we desire to pray. We need to be aware of how deeply Satan has infiltrated our lives, keeping us from prayer, and work to change the habits that distance us from it.
      Not every key can open every door. Each door has its own unique key, and only the right key can unlock it. Mary tells us that prayer is the "secret key" to encountering God. Prayer is the only key that opens the door to meeting God. Given how essential prayer is, how can we give up on it? To give up on prayer is to give up on encountering God, and to give up on encountering God is to give up on eternal life.
      Mary’s words, “That is why I am with you to lead you. Do not give up on prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call," should remain in our hearts as we strive to pray more fervently and never abandon our commitment to prayer.
   
 
 
July 25, 2017
"Dear children! Be prayer and a reflection of God's love for all those who are far from God and God's commandments. Little children, be faithful and determined in conversion and work on yourselves so that, for you, holiness of life may be truth; and encourage each other in the good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more pleasant. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Be prayer and a reflection of God's love for all those who are far from God and God's commandments. 

Prayer is a conversation with God, a language of our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we draw closer to God, come to love Him, and ultimately become one with Him. It is through prayer that we become people of God. That’s why Mary asks us not only to be people who pray but to become prayer itself. To reach this state, the amount and quality of our prayers must be overwhelming. This cannot be achieved by simply offering occasional prayers. We must not be content with the current amount or quality of our prayers, but strive to increase both.
      Through baptism, we have been forgiven of all our sins and become children of God, disciples of Christ, and members of the Catholic Church. This is a great blessing and honor. However,  God did not call us as His children solely for our own salvation. He desires that all people come to know Him as Father and be saved, and He wishes to use us as instruments for this purpose.
Understanding this, Mary tells us, "Be prayer and a reflection of God's love for all those who are far from God and God's commandments." But how can we reflect God's love if we do not carry it within us? To be a reflection of God's love, we must first experience His love and hold it within ourselves. Prayer is essential for this. While prayer is an act of devotion that expresses our love for God, it is also an act of surrender, allowing God to love us fully. Through prayer, we and God come to love each other, ensuring that His love remains in us, enabling us to reflect it to others.

Little children, be faithful and determined in conversion and work on yourselves so that, for you, holiness of life may be truth; and encourage each other in the good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more pleasant. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Repentance is not something that happens only once in our lifetime. If we had a first moment of repentance, it was merely the beginning of many more to come throughout our lives. Repentance is a continuous process, requiring our unwavering faithfulness and firm will.
      As the scripture says, "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44), the ultimate goal of Christian life is holiness—becoming saints. To achieve this, we must faithfully and resolutely repent, become prayer itself, and follow God and His commandments. There is no other way. This is the only truth that leads to a life of holiness.
      In previous messages, Mary has reminded us that this earthly life is passing away, and that she has come to lead us to Heaven. Yet, despite this, she wants us to live more joyfully and peacefully while we are here on earth, and to live this way together with others. Mary desires that we live not only in human relationships but also in communion with one another in God. Therefore, she says, "Encourage one another by doing good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more joyful." Doing good through prayer and encouraging one another means recognizing that God is at the center of all our relationships and trusting in His power and providence. It is also something that can only be done by those who harbor respect and love for others in their hearts.
   
 
 
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.
   
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