"Dear children! This is a time of great graces, but also a time of great
trials for all those who desire to follow the way of peace.  Because of
that, little children, again I call you to pray, pray, pray, not with words
but with the heart.  Live my messages and be converted.  Be conscious of
this gift that God has permitted me to be with you, especially today when in
my arms I have little Jesus - the King of Peace.  I desire to give you
peace, and that you carry it in your hearts and give it to others until
God's peace begins to rule the world. Thank you for having responded to my
call." December 25, 2002

A NEW TIME IN GOD'S WAY

We are entering into another new year. New minutes, new hours, new days are awaiting us. In the beginning of the year, we exchange congratulations and best wishes. What do we wish to one another? What are our desires for one another? Are we greeting with the heart or only shaking hands and pronouncing courtesies? Media publish best wishes and messages given by different companies and organisations. Regularly, they wish us much success. However, is anybody asking the question what success means, who succeeds and in which way?

The time we live in runs after success. Progress and business accomplishments are the leading ides in the world in which - according to its own logic - God should have no initiative and be unemployed. The world of trade understands only the language of profit and success at any price. In such a world, man wants to have everything under his control. Forgetting that everything is given to us, he even wants to control and dominate time, one of the most beautiful gifts. God gives it to us to walk towards Him.

God alone is the master of the time, but we all can use the time given to us by Him. God's time is the kairos - the right moment for the good and for spiritual growth. Often, papers publish ideas about a "new time", as if the time we have is not useful and good for man. On the contrary, this is a time of grace for each one individually. Our Lady knows it. This is precisely why, at this time, in Medjugorje, She calls us to move ahead meaningfully, and one can move ahead meaningfully only with Jesus who is the Way.

A new time is in front of us. It will be a new chance for us in proportion with our capacity to make an end to the old time and the old sinful man within us. Only Jesus - through the Church and in the sacraments - gives us a chance for the real fullness of life in the time that is before us. So, let us find time in this year to draw at the source of strength for
Christian life - the sacraments. Let us not try to fix up of our time, but let us try to live it and to give it. If, as Christians, we do not find time for the One who has given us each moment of our life, then it is a sign that we become people who, in the year to come, will only wish success and business, and not life in time in God's way. Time that is used only to achieve success and profit is a path that leads straight to death, and I believe that each one of us wants to live!

We know that our life is in Jesus, but do we belong to Jesus? If we do not belong to him yet, let us do it in the time that is before us!

Fr. Mario Knezovic

If you have not heard about Pope John Paul II's announcement of the new "Luminous Mysteries" or "Mysteries of Light" of the Holy Rosary, please visit:
http://www.medjugorje.org/rosary.htm

Download this in .rtf format for printing

English translations of messages, commentaries and reflections are courtesy of The Information Centre in Medjugorje and gratefully acknowledged.  Sign up for The Medjugorje Web e-mail information service.   http://www.medjugorje.org

Message from Steve Shawl - The Medjugorje Web. "All of you know that we do not solicit our subscribers or recommend products or causes. But, we have been involved for over one year with an incredible relief effort called "Rebuild for Bosnia". The organization provides assistance to the forgotten victims of the horrors of the war in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The effort provides homes, medical attention, and help to the most severe and needy cases. Please take a look at the following page on our site: http://www.medjugorje.org/rebuildforbosnia.htm To help raise funds for this effort, we are selling excellent quality and unique videos about Fr. Slavko, and Medjugorje. Please note that all videos are in NTSC format only for the US & Canada. There is also a secure donation page for those who would just like to contribute to the cause. This initiative is a grass roots expression of living the Gospel and Our Lady's messages in Medjugorje!!" God Bless! - Steve Shawl - The Medjugorje Web - http://www.medjugorje.org