Wednesday, 26 October 2005
Mass: 18:40 to about 19:45 (Supper 20:30 at the Casa Maria Immacolata )

Theme of the Day

We have spent today reflecting on the apostolate of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. We have looked in depth at two examples, 1) the “new poverty” of today and 2) youth. These examples do not give us a command of what to do as our apostolate. Rather, they are points of examination so that we can be confident that our apostolate includes everyone that it should. We approach our apostolate as the servants of our Lady, as her representatives to her children, including especially those among her children who are most in need.

The Gospel Calls Us to a Mission

As we listen to the Word of God today, let us hear what he is telling us.

Through Saint Luke in the gospel, Jesus reminds us that God does not see the world as we do. “Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Let us come before God and ask for his eyes as we look at the world. Let us see how God loves the poor and ask for a share of that love.

As we listen further to the gospel, we hear Jesus telling us not to be afraid to work hard for God. Sometimes we must squeeze ourselves through a “narrow gate.” Working for God is like going through a narrow gate, and alone we will not be strong enough for the task.

In another place Jesus promises us that God will provide what we need. Saint Vincent de Paul lived according to this promise of God's providential care, and he passed the principle on to us. Simply, we need to trust God and wait for his initiative. We cannot do it by ourselves. God must build for us. If he does not, we are building in vain. God will provide for us when we trust in him.

The First Reading Shows That Our Call Is Personal

Saint Paul builds on this theme of God's providence with his powerful message in the first reading. We may be weak, but the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. The Holy Spirit is not some vague abstraction. The Holy Spirit is God himself. Jesus has given him to us. The Holy Spirit is alive in us. Because of the Holy Spirit we do not need special talent or extraordinary strength. The results belong to God. God can do it. God will do it.

The reading clearly shows that God has given us a personal mission. He has searched our hearts and knows what we need. He has given us a mission, and he gives us the means to carry it out. We need only to trust him, to let him work through us. The important part is not what we bring to the mission but what God provides. We can do God's work only in God.

Remember how the first reading says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” God's plan is all around us. It is like a breeze that leads us in the direction we should go. We open our hearts to God and let his plan touch us and guide us. His plan will work for us, because all things, all things, work together for good. Again, the message is to trust God humbly. God can do it. God will do it.

As Saint Paul continues, he tells us about God's providence. He says that we are “foreknown” and “predestined.” We are re-made in the image of God's Son. We have been “called” and “justified” before God. We have the promise of glory. When Paul says we have been called, he is speaking of our mission. As members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, the mission we have received from God includes our apostolate. By God's grace we have accepted our mission, whatever it may be. Now we come in prayer and we trust in God to help us. God can do it. God will do it.

Great graces will be given to those who ask for them. Pray. Pray with confidence. You will receive great graces.

Mary Teaches Us How to Carry Out Our Mission

In this beautiful and very special church, we have moved easily from Christ to Mary. God has given us our mission, including our Association's apostolates. He has promised us the means to carry out his mission. As Mary told Saint Catherine, so now we pray for everything we need, and we pray with confidence. God can do it. God will do it.

Mary shows us the way. Here in this church she touched the heart of Alphonse Ratisbonne. She was a true mother to an agnostic Jew who resisted God's call again and again. As a mother, she never gave up. She never had to punish or become angry. In God's loving plan—in his providence—when the right moment came, God's right moment, she was here. She touched him personally, and his life changed.

Can you see how the example of Alphonse Ratisbonne and our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is for you? This story is calling us to humble trust in God's plan and his generous providence.

What Mary did for Alphonse is what you do today for those around you. You touch their lives personally. You make life different today for the people you serve just as Mary's loving touch changed the world for Alphonse. You can change the lives of those that you touch.

This church is special for us in the Association of the Miraculous Medal because of its message for us. It reminds us that we can do for others what Mary did for him. Pray with confidence. Trust God for what you need. You will receive great graces because you ask for them. Trust God to give you his spirit. Take that spirit with you as you leave this church. Take it home with you after our Encounter. Let it be the spirit that guides you in your apostolate. This spirit is the Holy Spirit. “He comes to the aid of our weakness.” (Romans 8:26)

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