Morning Message: May 13
The four Gospels tell the stories of the life of Jesus. The stories in these four Gospels are a wonderful gift to us because they tell us how to live. Jesus taught us and showed us the way. Today we honor Mary, Our Lady of Fatima. In 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared to three children and urged them to pray for sinners and to pray the Rosary.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the words themselves.”
Think about this silently in your heart. What do we know about God the Father from Jesus’ life and teachings?
When we are trying to find our way through the journey of life, God has given us a spiritual compass to guide our path. That guide is the Bible, God's Holy Word. The truth that we find in the Bible never changes. It will always point us in the same direction. It will always point us to Jesus.
Some people use their feelings to help them to decide what they should do. That's no good. Our feelings change from day to day and they cannot be trusted. Besides that, just because we feel good about something doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do.
Some people choose what they will do by what's popular. That is no good either. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do, does it? Tomorrow everyone might be doing something else.
There is only one thing that we can trust to always point us in the right direction, and that is the Bible. It will always point to Jesus and Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me."
We continue to praise and thank you, O God, for the gift of your Son, Jesus. He revealed your love for us and for all that you have created, and he points us in the right direction. Help us believe and follow him. We ask this in his name. Amen.
Boys and girls, today, the 13th day of May, is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. It was on this day that the Blessed Virgin Mary started her series of apparition to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima in Portugal in 1917. She appeared six times to Lucia, who was then 9 years of age, and her cousins Francisco, who was 8 at that time, and his sister Jacinta, aged 6, every 13th of the month between the months of May and October.
TO BRING PEACE TO OUR WORLD:
1. Be sorry for what we've done wrong; put God first in our lives.
2. Pray the Rosary each day for peace.
3. Make sacrifices for sinners so they will know and love God.
O Mary, our hope and our joy, help us to pray with you for peace in the world. Unite all children with your Immaculate Heart. Make us strong in praying for those who have no one to pray for them. Keep us always close to the Sacred Heart of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.