I prayed to God through His Son Jesus Christ that I would know the Truth. I prayed to know of His existence. I prayed to understand the relevancy of Christianity today. What religion do I follow or practice given the choice of so many? How are we to have faith in Christ after 2000 years? Do you know me God? Do You love me!!?
After a couple of weeks I received the answer, the proof I was looking for.
Yes, God does exist! When he sent His son 2000 years ago, He performed miracles as proof of His existence.
I did some research and discovered more recent miracles. Church approved miracles. I learned about Juan Diego, Lourdes, Fatima and many, many more. Yes, I thought. It only makes sense! He has not left us alone.
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” John 20:29
I have learned that today, the Blessed Virgin Mary who is Queen of Heaven, intercedes on our behalf to God the Father and her son Jesus Christ. Over the centuries she has appeared to many people and has given them proof of God's existence and messages to convey to the world. Our Blessed Mother has messages for our times and what lies ahead for us. She also urges the need for prayer, conversion, penance, and peace.
It's utterly amazing and miraculous!!
Yes, Christianity is relevant today. The Blessed Virgin Mary's messages to the seers of Fatima accurately predicted the most crucial events of the 20th century. By following the instructions in her messages we can even avoid war. The Blessed Virgin Mary considers all people to be her beloved children and wishes not to lose any of us. She is calling all people to her Immaculate Heart.
“Conversion is an ongoing process of transformation toward love; not something to be tried once and forgot about.” T. Mackinnon
We have been given conclusive proof which has been well documented and witnessed (in some cases by over 70,000 believers and sceptics at one time, as well as the illuminated sky in Europe appearing like a blood red aurora borealis which was seen by millions all over Europe and foreshadowing the beginning of World War II and predicted by Our Lady). And that's just for starters! The image above is that of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( Our Lady of Guadalupe). It is the only image in existence that we have of Blessed Mary.
In 1531, a Mexican peasant named Juan Diego was given flowers by Our Lady to bring to the Bishop. When Juan opened his Tilma (cloak) in front of the Bishop, a miraculous image was imprinted on it. Over 470 years later, the image is still as fresh as it was when it happened. Its had acid spilled on it; a bomb blowing up under it; left in the open air, not to mention the fact that the normal life span of the fabric is only 20 years! Today scientists are baffled. Analysis reveals that the paint used is not animal, mineral or vegetable (not of this world!).
When the eyes of the image were magnified, scientists in their astonishment, could see images of people! These were in fact a snapshot of the individuals present at the time of the miracle!
Further analysis reveals that the picture is not a painting (no brush strokes present). The more tests done on the Tilma, the more baffled scientists are. Its a miracle for the ages because the images present in the eyes were not discovered until recently. In His infinite wisdom, God knew that there would be scientists centuries later discovering the images, bewildering them all the more.
As of today science cannot explain this image on the Tilma nor has the Tilma or the image deteriorated in any way. Scientists claim it is of supernatural origin. You can see this miraculous image at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico.
Why did She appear? The image was in answer to the Bishop's prayers and also to convert the pagan Indians in Mexico who at the time were practicing human sacrifice.
Her message to Juan Diego: “Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”
The image on the Tilma is just one miracle of thousands that God has given to us to help our unbelief.
Alleluia! There is a God (my Eternal Father)! Jesus is His Son (my Lord, my Saviour, my Brother)! Mary is His Mother (my Mother too!) and she will intercede on my behalf to God the Father and to Her Son, Jesus Christ. They all love me!!!
But as sure as there is good, there is also evil. The devil is hard at work. His intention is to create dissention, confusion, and chaos through lies and deception; to add doubt and to try and chip away at our faith.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” Genesis 3:15
Christianity is not an exclusive club. It's not about pride. It's not about a Christian thinking they are better than anyone else. Blessed Mary is calling everyone (Man, Woman, Child, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist....) to Her Immaculate Heart.
Act of Consecration to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary* “I,
_______, a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy hands, O
Immaculate Mother, the vows of my baptism: I renounce forever Satan, and
all his pomps and works, and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the
Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life,
and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before. In the
presence of all the heavenly court, I choose thee this day as my Mother
and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body
and soul; my goods, both interior and exterior; and even the value of
all of my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the
entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me,
without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory
of God, in time and in eternity.” Amen.
Learning
about church approved miracles, apparitions as well as taking
pilgrimages to far and distant sacred places and shrines is beneficial,
but it is important to remember that we witness a miracle every time we
go to Mass. As a Priest reminded me; the body and blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ is present under the appearance of bread and wine during
every Mass in every church in the world.
Why Christianity? Why not one of the other 2 monotheistic religions like Judaism or Islam? What about Buddhism?
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Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the Jewish law and prophecy.
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Jesus is the direct descendant of Abraham's Isaac and not Ishmael (progenitor of the muslims).
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Buddha died still searching for the truth.
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.
Everything we need to live a faith filled Christ-centred life can be found in the bible. Miracles and Apparitions are an added bonus!
The local bishop is responsible for investigating the veracity of alleged claims of apparitions and miracles. The Vatican's Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome develops the standards by which the study and investigation of alleged supernatural miracles and apparitions are to be conducted. It's important to keep in mind that before any miraculous claim is approved, the Roman Catholic church will scrutinize it to the nth degree using all available methods of investigation including science and medicine. The church would rather err on the side of caution. Unlike public revelation, private revelation does not belong to the deposit of faith. They can, however, strengthen our faith and remind us that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.
Links:
References:
“Buddha died still searching for the truth.” Billy Graham
Act of Consecration - St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort
New American Bible