May 10th Fast

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JMJ

"Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary." (Words of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, July 13, 1917)

 When we look upon our crosses do we know that they are not only a means for our salvation, but others' salvation as well?  It is easy to offer sacrifices for those we love, but  we must remember to sacrifice for others who also need the graces gained from our offerings of suffering.  There are so many who do not know how to pray for themselves, and do not know that they even need prayers.  Many live in a state of confusion, in a realm of virtual reality: they believe that a life of sin is reality, when we know that the life of grace is the only reality.  We must call for God's mercy upon sinners (not excluding ourselves), for God to shed His light upon their crooked paths.  This is a great work of charity, to pray not just for ourselves and our loved ones, but to also pray and suffer for those we do not know.  In this way we imitate our Lord in His Passion as He suffered for those whom He knew but who did not know Him.

We should not just desire for our marriage, our vocation to succeed, but for all vocations to succeed.  For all peoples to be faithful in their state of life.  Peace will come to the world when peace comes to all families.  So many offenses are committed, so much repair must be done to the wounds inflicted on the Body of Christ.  We recall the intense suffering of Our Lord in the Garden when He thought of the egregious sins which would be committed against His loving heart: 

And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. . . . He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Lk 22: 43-44) 

St. Theresa of Avila advised her readers to meditate on the Agony during an examination of conscience each night.  We would do well to follow this advice as often as we can to encourage us to make sacrifices for our sins, and the conversion of sinners.  The perversion of love has birthed many offenses.  There are men and women, and little innocent children who suffer from the destruction of marriage, from the perversion of God's Holy plan for sexuality.

We must heed Our Lady's pleadings, and sacrifice in reparation for these sins, and the conversion of sinners.  We can bring comfort to our Lord and His Sorrowful Mother by our small offerings.  We show our devotion to our vocation, to our spouses and children by our sacrifices.  Is it too much to ask that we sacrifice a small thing in order to preserve the innocence of our children, the integrity of our spouse?  Could we not also sacrifice for the integrity of all marriages?  For the preservation of innocence for all children?   Let us sacrifice for our vocations, for our families, but also for those that are broken, so that more souls may be saved, and peace may come to all.

"Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and pray for them." (Words of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, August, 1917)