“What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?” (Ps 8:4).
It is not easy for us human beings to see ourselves and others through the eyes of our loving Father, even if we try. Indeed, if we are not blind to our faults and shortcomings, if we recognise the moral wretchedness that often surrounds us, we may wonder how it is possible that God loves us so much and never gives up trying to conquer us.
Acts 5:34-42
One member of the Sanhedrin, however, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a teacher of the Law respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the men taken outside for a time. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin, ‘Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. Some time ago there arose Theudas. He claimed to be someone important, and collected about four hundred followers; but when he was killed, all his followers scattered and that was the end of them. And then there was Judas the Galilean, at the time of the census, who attracted crowds of supporters; but he was killed too, and all his followers dispersed.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me” (Ps 23:4).
The paths we must take are not always clear and obvious to us. Both in this sin-filled world and in our personal life and spiritual journey, there are those “valleys of the shadow of death” of which the Psalmist speaks. But our Father never leaves us helpless when we lift our eyes to Him. Faith and the confidence that comes from it help us not to be discouraged.
Jn 3:31-36
He who comes from above is above all others; he who is of the earth is earthly himself and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven bears witness to the things he has seen and heard, but his testimony is not accepted by anybody; though anyone who does accept his testimony is attesting that God is true, since he whom God has sent speaks God’s own words, for God gives him the Spirit without reserve. The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to his hands. Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: God’s retribution hangs over him.
“As for the souls who live in justice and sanctifying grace, I show My happiness by living in them. I give them Myself. I transmit to them the use of My power and through My love they find a foretaste of heaven in Me, their Father and their Saviour!” (Father’s Message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
Acts 5:17-26
Then the high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Filled with jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the public gaol. But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out, ‘Go and take up position in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.’ They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach. When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin – this was the full Senate of Israel – and sent to the gaol for them to be brought.
“Pray to Me, so that I will be able to accomplish My work of love in all souls” (Father’s message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
One of the most beautiful and fruitful tasks that our Father entrusts to us is prayer. Not only is it of inestimable value for our own sanctification but it benefits all humanity.
What is it that makes prayer so valuable, to such an extent that God calls some in our Church to consecrate their whole lives to it, withdrawing from the world and considering it their main mission for the Church and the world, along with the path of holiness? Read More
Jn 3:7-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus: Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” Nicode′mus said to him, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
“My love for My creatures is so great that I have no greater joy than that of being among them.” (Message of the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio)
At first, these words are certainly surprising. If we do not remain with our eyes closed in the face of our own misery and if we get to know ourselves and other people a little, if we take a look at history and listen to the accounts of Sacred Scripture, the question will easily arise in us: “Lord, what is it that you find in us that you are so pleased to be in our midst?” Read More
Lk 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favor! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.
