Message, 25. March 2025
“Dear children, in this time of grace when you are called to conversion, I am encouraging you, little children: offer me your prayers, sufferings and tears for conversion of hearts that are far from the Heart of my Son Jesus. Pray with me, because, little children, without God you do not have a future or eternal life. I love you, but I cannot help you without you; therefore, say ‘yes’ to God. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (With Ecclesiastical approval)
Father Marinko’s reflection on this month’s message:
“In this time of grace, when you are called to conversion.”
Why are we called to conversion again?
Because we often desire to convert and change others and the world. We focus on others, point fingers at them, talk about them, and know everything that has happened to them and in the world. Of course, talking with someone about a third person or an event is not necessarily bad—it can be a sign that we are not indifferent, that we care about what happens to others. However, we must be careful not to focus too much on others and forget our own need for conversion.
The women of Jerusalem felt compassion for Jesus as He suffered innocently. Yet, Jesus turned their attention away from Himself and toward themselves:
“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:28)
It is tempting to speak about others and think that conversion is necessary for them while remaining outside the “story” ourselves, not seeing that we, too, are called. Paul writes:
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)
In the Sketis desert, a brother sinned. After holding a council, they sent for Abba Moses, but he refused to come. Then the priest sent him a message: “Come, for the people are waiting for you.” Moses got up and went. He took a torn basket, filled it with sand, and carried it on his shoulders. When the brothers met him, they asked, “What is this, Father?” The old man replied: “These are my sins, spilling out behind me. And yet I have come to judge another’s sins, while not seeing my own.”
“I encourage you, little children, offer me your prayers, sufferings, and tears for the conversion of hearts that are far from the heart of my Son, Jesus.”
Are these words not a Mother’s cry? Do we feel the Mother’s pain for those who are far from Jesus’ heart? The Mother asks for our help because she suffers for such people.
Why does she suffer if she is in heaven? She suffers because she loves. Those who do not love do not suffer. They do not care what happens to others; they think only of themselves and their own pleasures.
From Our Lady’s words—that hearts are far from Jesus’ heart—we sense that many people live without God, relying only on their own strength, on material security alone. Many have forgotten Jesus and the Holy Mass; they have grown cold and distant from His heart.
Let us offer our prayers for Our Lady’s intentions—for the conversion of hearts that are far from Jesus. In this way, we will show both our love for the Mother and for these souls. Likewise, if we suffer or weep over something, we will see that our sufferings and tears gain meaning. It will be easier for us, and—so we believe—better for others.
“Pray with me, little children.”
Even Our Lady prays. Why does she pray if she is in heaven? She prays because she loves, because she cares about us.
If we want to check whether we truly love others and care about them and about peace in the world, we should ask ourselves:
• Do I pray for others?
• Do I pray for peace in people’s hearts, in families, and in the world?
• Do I pray for the conversion of sinners?
If I do not pray, then there is no love in me. Or, if there is, it is weak.
Let us decide now to pray for others, for peace, for the conversion of people. In doing so, love will awaken in us.
And one more thing: from now on, when we pray, let us do so with the awareness that we are not alone in prayer—that we are praying with Mother Mary.
“For without God, you have neither a future nor eternal life.”
Why does Our Lady link prayer, God, the future, and eternal life? Is prayer really so important? Does prayer determine the future and eternal life?
If we see prayer as merely a brief moment when we ask God to fulfill our desires, we will not understand these words of Our Lady. Prayer is much more than that—it is a way of life.
Our Lady says, “Without God, you have no future…” and to pray means to live with God—not alone.
Prayer is:
• A time when I listen to God’s thoughts, asking myself how Jesus sees things, what He would do in my place.
• A way of organizing my life—working as Jesus would want, managing money, communicating with people, solving problems, seeing creation…
• A choice to not live alone, but to shape my life in relationship with God.
That is why I need time for prayer. That is why I need to go to the Eucharist, to come before Jesus in adoration, to pray before the cross, to experience God’s mercy in confession, to read His Word, to fast…
Such a life has a future. Such a life leads to eternal life—because it trusts in God.
“I love you, but I cannot help you without you.”
True love suffers. It suffers because it is powerless before the freedom of the beloved.
Our Lady loves us and wants to help us, but because of our free will, she is powerless—just as parents are powerless when their child goes down the wrong path. They suffer because of it, but they cannot force their child to change.
Let us recall what Our Lady says about freedom:
“Dear children, you know that I love you immeasurably and want each of you for myself. But God has given everyone freedom, which I lovingly respect, and in my humility, I bow before your freedom.” (November 25, 1987)
“I want to lead you deeper into prayer each day, but I do not want to force you.” (August 14, 1986)
It depends on us.
“So say ‘Yes’ to God.”
How can Mary help us?
Above all, by her own example. She said “Yes” to God:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your word.”
These words came from her heart and opened the door for God to enter the world.
Mary cannot help you, nor can you help her, if you do not say:“Yes, God, here I am!”
