OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Scriptural Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Psalms 84:3, 4, 5+10, 11; Mark 7:1-13

My dear encountered couples:

In the year 1858 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl, Bernadette Soubirous, at Lourdes in France. The appearances continued over the course of fifteen days, concluding with the instructions to look for a stream and wash in it and to see that the priests build a chapel there. The apparitions were verified, Mary’s wishes were carried out. Thousands of people go to Lourdes every year seeking cures. Both physical and spiritual miracles happen to many of them.

Every once in awhile there is someone who claims an appearance from Mary. Are they real, imagined, or fraudulent? If you are asking me, you are asking the wrong person. Just pray you aren’t gifted with a vision. Real or imagined, many people will consider you a kook. More so than already do, I mean.

Whether they are real or not, when you hear of a vision, benefit from it. Use it to remind you of what Isaiah said of Jerusalem; only apply it to Mary: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her...As nurslings you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap. As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you...When you see this, your heart shall rejoice.. .The Lord’s power shall be known to his servants.”

Miracles happen each and every day! God is here and He is working those miracles in your presence. Our Blessed Mother wants you to take this message with you today and that message is this, “with God all things are possible.”

With that being said as we offer our prayers for all those who are sick, we thank God for Our Lady of Lourdes; we ask the Lord to help us to trust and grow closer to Him.