CALUMNY

 

An acquaintance spread calumny about Mariam. She chose to remain calm.

Mariam told the Master, "I don't need to fight . . ."

Rabbi Jesus answered her, "Because you've got a peaceful conscience."

Sometimes others make statements which are patently untrue. Just ignore them peacefully - you don't have to take part in every argument to which you are invited.

Choose your spiritual and emotional battles wisely and well. 

Go out to bat only when it is really needed. Leave the rest to God.

The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding well.

And sometimes the greatest action taken by God over years is to lead the perpetrator of injustice to realization, penitence and ultimate holiness.

Don't begrudge others their path to forgiveness and mercy. They have their own story, too.

SIGNATURES

 

Mariam heard of another who signed documents without fully understanding the document contents. This had disastrous results.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "It can take years to get out from under the boot of an injudicious signature."

Do not sign what you have not read or understood. Do not sign surety for others. Do not sign for loans which have very high interest rates. Save for what you need. Do not be shy to ask for help when appropriate. Reuse, recycle, be happy with preloved items. Do not waste money. Do not spend more than you earn. Do not begrudge others their good fortune. Be happy with your own lot in life - it is your personal road to sanctity.

Above all, be prudent.

REPENTANCE

 

Mariam repented past failures.

Rabbi Jesus told her gently, "I forgive. It is your failures that make you great. Because they make you humble."

We are all sinners. We have all failed. Let us not be judgemental of the weakness and failings of others, while neglecting to take our own sinful natures into consideration.

Don't obsess about past sins. Repent, be forgiven through the sacrament of reconciliation, and move on. Just don't repeat that particular failure again. You know better now.

Bow your head before God's mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Bow your head in mercy, compassion and forgiveness to others. 

And grow in meekness, inner silence and humility.

Image with thanks to Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle

FRUITS

 

Mariam heard of lawlessness and much suffering in a society which denigrated God.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "They are picking the fruits of a society which lives far from God."

Stay close to the Almighty, so that the fruits of your family and community may be peace, joy, patience, humility, loyalty and holiness.

DEFENCE

 

Mariam was witness to an interviewee who skirted the issue of the harsh realities of pregnancy termination procedure, and how there are women who lose their lives during the procedure. Sometimes not only the infants or infants die, but the poor mother too. 

Mariam said to the Master, "The interviewee neither answered the question directly, nor could defend the procedure."

Rabbi Jesus answered soberly, "They cannot defend the indefensible."

WEAKNESS

 

Come, follow Me

Mariam felt inadequate as a disciple. She told the Master regarding herself, "You have taken the weakest of the weak, the smallest of the small . . ."

Rabbi Jesus answered kindly, "And the most loving of the loved."

Love is the answer. If you have great love, God will be able to do great things through you. We may be small, yet the grace of God at work within us  has the power to inspire us to deeds which may prove mighty.

St Paul tells us the following:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

LACK OF FEAR

 

Mariam had been in many dangerous situations during her preaching ministry. Looking back, she marvelled, "How is it I was never afraid?"

Rabbi Jesus answered her, "The Spirit of God walked with you."

Trust in God and you will never journey alone.

Image with thanks to Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle

POWER

 

Once, Mariam was influenced during her decision-making by guidance from a trusted acquaintance. The final decision turned out to be a disaster. Mariam could not blame the acquaintance, as the decision was Mariam's alone - as was the responsibility to clear up the mess.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "The power of peer."

Be careful whose counsel you accept. Listen to many. Trust few. And always turn to the Lord your God in prayer for guidance. You may not always understand the promptings you receive during prayer. 

We see the immediate picture. God sees the ultimate goal. 

Trust in Him and you will be founded upon dependable  rock.

ACTIONS

 

Mariam was speaking with the Master about actions and their consequences. 

She said to Him, "We never know where our actions may lead."

Rabbi Jesus answered, "It only takes one pebble of goodwill from the top of the mountain to overflow the world with an avalanche of goodness and love."

Be that pebble.

Image with thanks to Freepik AI generated content by C Whittle