1. “May this springtime be an encouragement for personal conversion for you, so that through your lives, you may pray and love God above all, for all those in need.”
We learn from Jesus, but also from Our Lady, that nature is a school where we can learn a great deal about spirituality. When Jesus wants to explain to His listeners what the Kingdom of God is, He uses images from nature. Our Lady does the same when she speaks to us about conversion in this message.
If we want conversion to happen in our lives and if we want to understand what conversion is, let us look at nature. Specifically, let us observe it as spring arrives. The month of March is a time of “conversion,” that is, of change. The weather “converts”—it changes. The cold of winter gradually weakens, and the warmth of spring strengthens. “Conversion” is visible on trees and in meadows. The lifelessness of winter transforms into new life.
Our Lady emphasizes personal conversion because conversion is needed for me, not for others. Often, we think the opposite—that we do not need to change, but others do. Such thinking hinders conversion. And when someone feels no need for conversion, they close themselves off from the “Sun,” from God’s action, and thus from the arrival of new life.
Imagine if nature in spring refused “conversion”? If it said “no” to the growing warmth of the sun? Isn’t it true that when the conditions are right, every creature in nature opens up in spring? And what about humans? Even when all the conditions are met?
Our Lady sets out the goals of conversion:
• a) That we may, through our lives, pray and love God above all.
• b) For all those in need.
When someone undergoes conversion, when their life changes, their approach to God and others also changes. They are no longer turned inward, focused only on their concerns and pleasures, but instead, they think much more about God and people in need. God has become so important to them that they give Him more time and attention than before. Prayer is no longer just a routine at the beginning and end of the day—it has become deeper, a prayer of the heart. They no longer read or listen to God’s Word as something irrelevant to them but recognize themselves in it as if looking in a mirror. Their eyes become more attentive to those in need, and their heart becomes more open and ready to help. From a superficial and indifferent believer, they become active and engaged.
2. “Little children, be my hands of peace and prayer; be love for all who do not love, do not pray, and do not want peace.”
When a believer undergoes conversion, their mentality and way of thinking change. Conversion becomes evident even in their prayer life. They no longer pray only for themselves and their own needs. They do not simply read Our Lady’s messages and put them aside but listen for Her heart, Her needs, and Her desires through Her words.
For example, in this message, one can sense the Mother’s plea to join Her in the salvation of the world. That is why such a person desires to help fulfill Her plans. They know they cannot change the whole world, but like Mary, they believe that nothing is impossible for God. They see themselves as a collaborator of God and Our Lady. Everything they do is not done by their own strength alone but by allowing God and Our Lady to work through them. In this way, they become “Our Lady’s hands.”
Once, a journalist tried to provoke Mother Teresa:
“Mother Teresa, you are now seventy years old. When you die, the world will look the same as before you. After all the effort you have put in, what has changed in the world?”
Without any impatience and with a disarming smile, she replied:
“You know, I never wanted to change the world. I only tried to be a drop of clean water in which God’s love could be reflected. Do you think that is a small thing?”
As often happened, silence filled the room. No one dared to say anything.
Mother Teresa then turned to the journalist and said,
“Why don’t you try to be a drop of clean water? Then there would already be two of us. Are you married?”
“Yes.”
“Tell this to your wife. Then there would be three of us. Do you have children?”
“Yes, three.”
“Tell them as well. Then there would be six of us.”
How many Christians today do not follow Our Lady and Mother Teresa but instead take inspiration from those who have been overtaken by the spirit of this world? And that spirit—especially individualism and selfishness—seeps into their lives so that they say: “What do I have to do with others? I have my own life. Others don’t concern me. Their problems and worries are theirs alone.”
How many Christians have been deceived and overtaken by this spirit? How many have closed themselves off in their homes, wanting nothing to do with others, and become instruments of selfishness? In how many does a “winter” rule—a coldness toward others?
It is important to take care of one’s health, but how many spend excessive time and money worrying over every detail of their bodies? It is important to have peace within oneself and one’s family, but how many care only about their own peace? It is important to provide for one’s family, work, and earn money, but how many care only about their own well-being?
Our Lady wants to protect us from this spirit that is completely contrary to Jesus’ teaching. She calls us to a different way of life—to an active love for others. A believer in whom this love dwells is not indifferent; they are not unconcerned about others but think of them, care for them, and try to do something. They do not look at why others do not engage but take the initiative themselves. In this way, they become Our Lady’s hands of peace and prayer.
Our Lady teaches us that we can love others already through prayer for them. When a believer prays for those who do not love, do not pray, and do not seek peace, they are already showing love for them. Of course, this is just the beginning of love. Prayer should lead to action.
The question for us is: Whom do I follow? Who is my role model and the measure of my behavior? Will I follow those who have been overtaken by the spirit of this world and allow myself to be infected by their selfishness, or will I follow Our Lady and become Her hands of peace and prayer, Her love for people?
Will I live only for myself, for my fleeting pleasures, worrying only about my health and body, only for my peace and money? Or will I not miss this moment of grace that Our Lady is giving me and help the Mother who, quietly yet powerfully, pleads for our help?
The spring ahead of us brings beautiful messages. If only we knew how to read them…
