For almost three decades now, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing to six visionaries in Medjugorje, each time conveying messages for humanity. But for the first time last Christmas day, the Blessed Mother, in her appearance to seer Marija Pavlovic, did not speak. Instead, Jesus Christ, appearing as a Baby in the arms of His mother, spoke.
Jesus said: "I am your peace, live my commandments."
Followers of Medjugorje consider this signifant. Why did Jesus himself speak for the first time over the years since the apparitions began? Why did He cite "peace" and living His commandments as the (only?) way to it?
Does this portend what is to come, should not mankind trod the path of the commandments (the reference being obviously to The Decalogue)?
Notes prolific Catholic writer Michael Brown: "It was not the first time she has appeared with Jesus.
In fact, the first day of events on June 24, 1981, when Mary materialized on a hillside she appeared to be opening and closing a blanket over her tiny Son as the visionaries approached.
He has been seen on special occasions and was once reported by Marija’s own father, who claimed to have seen His Face in the apparition’s early days."
He adds: "But at least to our knowledge, never before has He uttered words, at least not public ones — and certainly not as the formal monthly message, which for years was translated and distributed by Franciscan priests at the local parish (Saint James, Medjugorje)."
Says Marija after her vision: "Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said : ‘I am your peace, live my commandments.’ With a Sign of the Cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.(Spoken in Croatian, the words were, A sam vaš mir, živite moje zapovijedi)."
In appearing to another Medjugorje visionary Jakov Colo also last Dec. 25, the Blessed Mother spoke and conveyed to us yet another message.
The Blessed Mother said: "Dear children, give the gift of your life to me and completely surrender to me so that I may help you to comprehend my motherly love and the love of my Son for you.
My children, I love you immeasurably and today, in a special way, on the day of the birth of my Son, I desire to receive each of you into my heart and to give a gift of your lives to my Son.
My children, Jesus loves you and gives you the grace to live in His mercy, but sin has overtaken many of your hearts and you live in darkness.
Therefore, my children, do not wait, say ‘no’ to sin and surrender your hearts to my Son, because only in this way will you be able to live God’s mercy and, with Jesus in your hearts, set out on the way of salvation."
