Through the generosity of the three shepherd children of Fatima, the message of Our Lady has spread throughout the world. This is our “model” in spreading the word and faith to obtain for us the graces we need. To be generous to God: to be open to what comes from God and open to what we share with others – ourselves.
To obtain the peace Mary has promised, She asked us to pray the rosary everyday, sanctify our daily duties, observe the First Five Saturdays, wear the scapular as we consecrate our hearts to Her Immaculate Heart. Isn’t this an invitation to be open to God’s grace? That is the secret of Mary why she is so full of grace! Giving her whole being, her soul who proclaims God’s Greatness.
The First Letter to Timothy tells us “to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called…to instruct those in present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us within all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
Our Catechist Mother teaches us these same virtues in Fatima. Like the generosity of the three shepherds who willingly sacrificed for the conversion of sinners and for the greater glory of God, we, too, can do a sacrificial offering – by offering the Lord to others. To be generous enough to give up something for a greater good. To give up sin and selfishness. To be open to what is coming in and going out.
Tomorrow is a better world because we have a better people. A people closer to God and farther from the darkness of sin. A brighter world because we carry the light of Christ beginning with ourselves, into our homes and community. It is the cloud of sin which darkens our judgment. So we turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel. It is our sinfulness that clouds our view of God. It is through prayer and penance and conversion that we return to our relationship with God, the Risen Lord.
We pray that we may have a clear and perfect vision of Christ. Like Mary sees Her Divine Son. That we may respond to God’s call first in prayer, then in action.