THE STORM IS UPON US! DARKNESS HAS COME OVER JERUSALEM!

THE STORM IS UPON US! DARKNESS HAS COME OVER JERUSALEM

Dear Friends,

The Storm is Upon us! Darkness has come over Jerusalem (MK 15:33).

Do we have any personal sufferings at this time?

A message of hope for you. No matter how bad it seems, how painful, whenever God allows a tragedy or suffering, it is always to allow for something good to come from it (look at Christ’s Crucifixion and death). 

The key for us, however, is to invite Him into our suffering heart, surrender all, and unite that suffering to His. He has already taken on the suffering, and “{His} yoke is easy, {His} burden light.” (Mt 11:30)

There is great suffering everywhere. Darkness has come over Jerusalem, as in the time of Jesus's passion and death.

What can we learn from the first Calvary, as we are reliving it in these times?

1) We see the "beloved Apostle" St. John resting on the Heart of Jesus during the Last Supper (Jn 13:23). Let us take note that St. John is the only apostle who didn't run from the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

This intimate relationship with the Sacred Eucharistic Heart of Jesus certainly gave him strength for the battle. May we learn from him to spend intimate time with Jesus heart-to-heart in his Eucharistic presence among us.

2) In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus tells Peter, James and John to "pray that you may not be put to the test" (Mat 26:41) ... and three times finding them asleep he says, "can you not watch one hour with me?" (Mat 26:43).

How are we doing in our prayer life? Have we fallen asleep, allowing ourselves to get distracted from the heart of the Christian life which is union with Jesus? 

Have we allowed all the chaos, confusion, upheaval to take our gaze off of our Lord? As happened to Peter when, walking on water, and distracted by the mighty wind and waves, began to sink.

Do we find ourselves "sinking" amidst the storms of our lives at this time?... If so let us reach out to Jesus, who will lift us up and say, "oh ye of little faith."

If we find ourselves in a mighty storm right now, we may want to go in the “stern” of the boat, and rest our head on the pillow with Jesus (MK 4:38), surrender all and trust in Him.

3) How did Jesus endure such grave suffering physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, to the greatest extent?... It was His union with His "Abba" Father. 

Jesus was never alone throughout His life on earth. He was ALWAYS in union with the Father, seeking His Divine Will in the present moment, trusting in His providential care; as we hear Him say in the Garden, "Father, take this cup from me, yet your will be done" (Lk 22:42).

Our key to peace and joy amidst any storms in life is: Abandonment to Divine Providence; trusting that God is our Loving Father; He is in control of all; and “All things work for the good for those who love God” (Rom 8:28).

4) Along with union with the Father was the fact that Jesus was so real and open with the Father about His sufferings, His cares, anxieties, and joys.

 He never pushed down or repressed any feelings but united with His Father intimately, Heart-to-Heart, as Son to Father; exposing His Sacred Heart.

5) St. John the Beloved was the only one that did not run away from the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus. And what was it that gave him the extra strength to persevere amidst the greatest of tragedies? His communion with Mary.

This is why, from the Cross Jesus said, “’Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’” (Jn 19:27).  Jesus was not only saying this to John but to all who want to be His beloved disciples. 

Have we received this profound gift from Jesus? We will never fully realize in this life the magnitude of it; and it is a process throughout life to receive this gift evermore wholeheartedly.

Have we begun to know Mary personally in our Hearts and lives? Have we consecrated our hearts and lives to Mary? And, most importantly, are we striving to live it each day.

St. Louis de Montfort tells us, “[Mary] is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.”

 She helps us to dispose ourselves to God’s personal love for us; and to the graces available to us in the present moment, as we go through our trials. And, no doubt, the Holy Rosary is the key WEAPON of our times for warding off all the snares of the enemy and aiding us in an ever-deeper communion with our Triune God, as we contemplate, with and through the Heart of Mary, the life of Christ.

Be assured of our love and prayers for you all from our Ephesus Cloister!

MOME Hermits

"To Our Divine Eucharistic Bridegroom, through Our Immaculate Mother!"