Part VII of a 9
Part Series
PREPARE
Preparation:
the Obstacles
Complacency,
Indifference & Procrastination
(Compiled by
Michael T. Sullivan, MD)
“Prepare Ye the
Way of the Lord!”
(Isaiah 40:1)
To many an observer, it would appear
that much of the world is not walking with God. Is it because
God has not provided humanity with the tools needed to attain eternal
happiness? Is it because God has not provided humanity access to the Truth?
Is it because God has not demonstrated how much He loves each and every one of
His children? Is it because God is not a patient God? Is it because God has
not previously intervened in human history when mankind has ignored or defied
His Divine Will? Or Is it because, even though God has delivered
on His promises unconditionally and unfathomably, that far too many of His
children remain complacent and indifferent?
COMPLACENCY
“The foolish ones, when taking
their lamps brought no oil with them….
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came;
and those who were ready went
into the wedding feast with him….
Afterwards the other virgins
came…. ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore stay awake, for you
know neither the day nor the hour.”
(Mt 15: 3-13)
In His Lessons to the world
through Gianna Talone Sullivan, Our Lord Himself defined "complacency":
"This is complacency—an
addiction to a self-satisfying attitude, masking the Truth by one’s living in a
world of fallacy, and not knowing the true individual I have created!…As my
people continue day by day in their complacency, they continue to live in a
fake world of no reality! They continue to think that they know who they are,
and their attitudes reflect the need for little assistance. They live in a
tunnel of darkness with their happiness being superficial,
only on the surface….They would become confused and would think they were
losing their minds if I tried to change them by showing them many truths about
themselves without their permission. They are so self-satisfied, that
any suggestion for the need to look at their inner being would be bounced out
as an inner conflict and loss of peace, which they actually create for
themselves by their outlook and separation from My Truth!" (JOM, Vol II,
#8, Oct. 4, 1989)
For many, the loss or forfeiture of
their own personal dignity has become a very destructive force in
obstructing God's Plan. Our Lord further explains:
"My people,
you live your lives without dignity. You are complacent and have
destroyed dignity! In your age today, My people die without dignity because
there is lack of respect and love…..How do you restore dignity?…Preach by
your deeds of a holy life….Restore the dignity of My Love in your
fellow brethren by being the living fruits of My Vine, the freshness and purity
of beauty itself!" (JOM,
Vol I, #78, Aug. 12, 1989)
This attitude of complacency not
only permeates mankind's response to Divine Revelation, but is
arguably even more prevalent as regards to the charismatic grace of private
revelations through God's prophets, especially among many Church
officials in the United States. One excellent example of this is taken from the
2002 Baltimore Archdiocesan Commission of Enquiry* report, which
in speaking about the Lessons of Our Lord and Messages
from Our Lady to the world through Gianna in the I am your
Jesus of Mercy series, stated:
“In general, the
lessons and messages presented as words of Jesus and Mary are within the
boundaries of orthodox doctrine; they reflect traditional Church
teaching…” (#43)*
“In what seems
to be a free association of ideas, the lessons and messages consist of a bland
repetition of basic Christian spirituality…” (#44)*
“Authentic
theology of this sacramental mystery (the Eucharist Real Presence of Jesus) does not foster
a sentimentalized image of Jesus…a child as dependent as any human
child….The Church does not look forward to the return of this Child, loveable
as He was….It may well be comforting for the visionary, but it cannot claim to
be a private revelation of divine inspiration…” (#46)*
While many expert Marian theologians and
scholars have written much to unpack the contradictions and falsities in these
assertions, Our Lord Himself might also disagree with the commissioners’
erroneous assessment as He defends His prophets:
"My people
are living now amongst My prophets of My Divine Age of Mercy, and they continue
to react as if My chosen have nothing of value to speak!…Do not My people
realize what they are doing to one another and themselves through their
complacent attitude? If My people recognized this truth, why would they not
ask Me to change their hearts? What does it take for my people to believe in
Me? By believing in those I sent, My prophets and disciples!" (JOM, Vol II,
#7, Oct. 1, 1989)
In the Words of God the Father
to the world, the Eternal Father addresses how humanity has treated the last
and the greatest of the New Testament prophets, Our Lady herself:
"Truly
there is a lack of wisdom and a lack of humility on your part for not being
able to see with the eyes of the heart the gift that has been handed to you.
Here you have the treasure of My Son's Mother who pleads your cause on your
behalf….How fortunate you are, children of humanity, to have been given such a
treasure that is taken for granted, overlooked, and dismissed with indifference
and ingratitude." (GTF,
Jan. 8, 2006)
Either at a conscious or subconscious
level, many people seem to justify their complacency, because not to do so
would be a threat to their attachments in the areas of pride and wealth.
God often chooses little, ordinary and imperfect people to reinforce
His prophetic message in speaking to His people. And why? Maybe it is because
they will listen to Him! Thus, it seems natural for many, who see
themselves as being holier or more righteous or highly intelligent, to allow
spiritual jealousy to influence and even justify their response, or lack of
response, to God’s modern day prophets. Our Lord challenges the false
sense of authority that many exhibit:
"You cannot
say you live My Word and then turn around and judge, be indifferent, be
complacent, or treat others as aliens because they do not share your belief or
because you feel they are not living as children of the Father and disciples of
the Son. I want my people to know that it is most important during this time
that they be very careful in how they perceive others in thought, word and
deeds….Do not be self-righteous and see yourself as favored….How
can you say you love Me with all your heart and desire to be Me and even
study My Way and My Word, then turn around and criticize and condemn with a
sense of authority?…My message of Love and Mercy may seem to be too simple of a
task and without full flavor for many people. If this is so, why is it that so
few people are responding at all levels to My words and requests?...What
is needed is Love at all levels for all My people regardless of title, position
or authority, even in My Church. Love is what is needed! Mercy!"
(JOM,
Vol V, # 27, Oct. 30, 1995)
Sacred Scripture tells us that
one cannot have two masters:
“No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love
the other,
or be devoted to one and despise
the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Mt 6:24)
"How many
times do My people not stand behind the principles of truth
because of money? Money is their ‘god’!…I tell you that money is
not the source of life!…I am the Source of Life, and I provide
the source of true wealth!…My people, look at your inner being and see your
dishonesty!…Those of you who look at yourselves and see no stain because of
your complacency, beware! It is you who live in darkness."
(JOM,
Vol II, #9, Oct. 9, 1989)
Our Lord then shares how
human pride breeds both complacency and indifference:
"It grieves
Me that many of My people have chosen to walk the way of evil. They have
chosen to be stubborn in their ways. They want, but they refuse to give. They
must be right at all times and fail to accept error in humility. Pride continues
to control every element of their being…By seeking self-gain in the world, they
will see what they have depleted from their souls through the loss of treasures
in Heaven. Evil does exist and its subtleties linger and fall
prey on any soul complacent or indifferent to unconditional Love and Mercy."
(JOM,
Vol V, #28, Nov. 2, 1995)
And what about all those earthly
treasures which we so proudly claim to be our own rather than humbly attribute
them to God? Our Lady of Emmitsburg both teaches and warns her
children:
"Do you not
know that all you have has been given to you as a gift from God and not of your
own merit? How long will you continue to be complacent with the goodness of
God?…All the accomplishments you achieve in your earthly life without Him will
only be short-lived, because you can do nothing without Him. (Public OLOE,
July 21, 1994) You
cannot serve God when love is lacking. If you harbor emotions of bitterness,
anger, jealousy, hatred or complacency towards one another, you are unable to
serve God in humility. (Public OLOE, August 18, 1994) Are you
surprised that God in His humility would allow me, a humble servant, to come
here to invite humanity to return back to Him. He is not a vindictive God!
He does not punish; however, if people spurn His Mercy, He has no choice but to
be a God of Justice. What are now needed are more prayer, more Eucharistic
celebrations and more giving to others, giving until it hurts. This is
what my Son has given to you….How long can the world continue ignoring in
complacency the effects of God's Love? All are called, but few respond; yet,
look at the hope for tomorrow, hope in every way!" (Public OLOE,
Oct. 2, 2005)
INDIFFERENCE
“I know your works; I know that
you are neither cold nor hot.
So, because you are lukewarm,
neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth.”
(Rev 3:15-16)
In Webster's Dictionary,
the word "indifference" is defined as: a lack of interest,
concern or feeling; apathy; callousness; a state of being lukewarm or
ingenuous.
God the Father speaks of the
results of humanity's indifference:
“My creation
was beautiful! Your creation will destroy itself. It is only a matter of
time. With your continual rebellion against My Word and with your rebellious
hearts against other people, with your indifference and demeaning ways and
actions toward one another, you will find sooner rather than later the world
you live in filled with fear, chaos, anxiety, crime, anger, violence,
perversion and deception." (GTF, May 8, 2007)
In
His Lessons to the world, Our Lord describes the state of mind of
much of the world:
"There are
my people of indifference, those who only care about the events
surrounding their lives, but are indifferent to the storms in other peoples'
lives. These are My nonchalant people who have little emotion for helping
those in need. They do not trust in My Father, for they do not
have time for Him!" (JOM, III, #12, Aug. 15, 1990)
Our Lady of Emmitsburg, as always, is
here at the Father's request to direct her children to her Son. However, the
lukewarm hearts of so many of her children weigh heavy on her Heart. She
points to those gifts given to humanity by Mother Church as essential elements
to build a new world based on Truth, not fallacy.
"You have
all become too indifferent, failing to realize Who is your God.
Your mortal, human ways have caused division and scattered destructiveness
because of your desire to control….I am now pleading with you in these last
days that I am permitted to be here, to love Jesus and follow His ways outlined
in the Scriptures. Is there not one of you who will love my Son without expecting
consolation in return? (Public OLOE, Nov. 24, 1993) There are so
many who have lukewarm hearts. These lukewarm hearts are the ones which
afflict my Son's Most Sacred Heart. They are disinterested and indifferent…..Unless
these lukewarm hearts practice prayer daily and exercise perseverance in
trials, they will turn into cold stone hearts….If you do not wish to accept my
words of enlightenment and seek by the grace of God to change your lukewarm hearts,
then so be it by your choice." (Public OLOE, Feb. 9, 1995)
"The Father
loves you, little children, and He is gentle and kind. Praise Him for your
existence and join in deeper union with Him. It is so necessary that my beloved
children not become indifferent, but enkindle the flame of His Love by trusting
and believing His Words." (Public OLOE, April 10, 1997) If people love
the Word of My Son in the Gospel, there would be no need of my visitation. It is because
there is a large percentage of the world who are indifferent to His
Truth that I come to plead and invite all to return to Him. There are so
many deceptions and demoralizing issues which have infected the world. Many
people don't know what is God's Truth. Unless people become centered on Jesus
in prayer, His True Presence in the Eucharist, and unless they live a
sacramental life, his Truth will only continue to be diluted by the pollution
of sin; and fear will become the end product." (Public OLOE,
Oct. 28, 1999)
Any Plan that is “of God”
will require love of God and love of neighbor to be at its foundation. You
cannot have one without the other. Our Lady further explains:
"Have a
genuine love for one another. Do not avoid, be distant or indifferent toward
one another….It is important to love all people and to be genuinely sincere in
your kindness and behavior in an affectionate manner….Focus on the Way
of Jesus, not on the way that others live. Do not judge, for you know
very little. (Public OLOE,
June 22, 1995)
You must not only pray for peace, but you must practice and put into action
genuine love and become selfless….Love all people genuinely and equally.
If you do not temper your tongues and temper the desires to please only
yourselves, then your hearts will remain hardened, proud and indifferent to
God's Truth and Word." (Public OLOE, Feb. 24, 2000)
As has always been the case, there are
no short-cuts around faith. The merits and requirements for
faith cannot be circumvented. History has taught humanity that without faith,
there can be no unity or Truth; and with complacency and indifference, there
can be no true faith, but only the dilution of that faith. Our Lady stresses this
essential role of faith:
"Do not be
self-centered, ungrateful, abusive, lovers of money, disobedient to your parents,
or slanderous and indifferent to what is good. Learn to oppose these foolish
ways, and make progress through the knowledge of God's Love in faith." (Public OLOE,
July 13, 1995)
"You need to be strong in your faith in order to persevere.
Your relationship with God needs to be solid. You will weaken and become
confused and frightened if you are indifferent to His calling. You cannot have
a causal attitude in your spiritual development; but instead, prepare as an
athlete prepares for an event, or you will not have the stamina of endurance.
You cannot become lax in your faith!" (Public OLOE,
Nov. 14, 1996)
On Independence Day weekend in 2006,
Our Lady of Emmitsburg expanded this discussion about indifference to
include both "freedom" and "peace."
"Freedom today comes
through action, not indifference. If people of your country (USA) are indifferent, even to the words from Heaven, how much more indifferent are they to
Peace?…Even now in the Iraq War, many have learned what "freedom"
means and how to achieve it. But so many others today are indifferent and do
not really and truly know the meanings of 'war' and 'Peace'. You cannot be
indifferent! You must pray and you must love!" (Public OLOE,
July 2, 2006)
God the Father reiterates this
lack of understanding among His children of the basic issues of Truth, freedom
and peace. He also speaks of "holy indifference," in
contrast to indifference, whereby one through this saving detachment
subordinates all persons, objects and conditions of life to one's pursuit of
God and His Will:
"So many
people suffering, wounded, searching, grasping each breath for life! Each day
is another day, an opportunity for you to live in Truth; and yet, with all the
many other distractions and circumstances in this world, very few come back to
the Truth. This is why there is chaos—because there is no peace
in your heart. There is no freedom or joy, no comfort
or holy indifference. So people scatter and do not
gather. Peace and Justice meet, yes indeed; but the lack of faithfulness
cannot allow it to fulfill its proper measure." (GTF, Mar. 8,
2009)
Our Lord too addressed
the indifference that is destroying the world and preventing a true and
lasting Peace:
"Your world
is being destroyed, and it is you who are destroying it through hatred and
indifference. Return to good and pure ways. Begin by having mercy
on one another….Begin treating one another with dignity….The day
will come when the people who do not believe these words, will know that what I
have spoken is true; and it will be their sorrow, for it will be too
late!…I wish for my people to restore peace by living in peace." (JOM Vol I, #35,
Jan. 12, 1989)
PROCRASTINATION
“But Lot’s wife looked back, and
she was turned into a pillar of salt.”
(Gen 19:26)
To
procrastinate is to put off something, often unpleasant or burdensome,
until a future time; to postpone habitually.
Interestingly, the word "procrastinate"
which connotes an action, or inaction, so prevalent in human history, and most
especially in today's modern world, is not even found in any of the hundreds
of Public and private Messages from Our Lady, Lessons from Our
Lord and Words of God the Father. Perhaps, this is because there is
truly no further time to procrastinate, for
"Time is
Short!"
(Private OLOE,
Oct. 15, 2008)
So What Does Our
Lady Want of Me?
Very frequently in Emmitsburg and even
at other apparition sites throughout the world, Our Lady has ended her
message with the words: "Thank you for responding to my call."
These words are certainly a genuine expression of gratitude to those
who were already trying to respond to her invitation, and in hopeful
anticipation for those who might do so in the future. However, as is obvious
by what has been said in the preceding messages, a high percentage of people in
the world and the Church have not yet responded to Our Lady's
call.
PLEASE RESPOND!
Jesus said:
“What if I want him to remain
until I come?
What concern is it of yours? You
follow Me.”
(Jn 21:22)
On only six occasions in over 20
years of messages through Gianna has Our Lady pleaded, "Please
respond!" The most recent of these were her last two words on October
5, 2008 in her Public Message to the World, at what turned out to be the last
Public Prayer Group in the Archdiocese of Baltimore before the Archbishop asked
Gianna to voluntarily cease praying at the monthly Marian Prayer
Group associated with Our Lady of Emmitsburg within his Archdiocese.
It
is noteworthy and worthwhile to review these 6 pleas:
1. "Take
seriously my call to prayer, unity and change….Please recognize the gift God
has given to you by allowing me to be here, and please respond."
(Public
OLOE, April 14, 1994)
2. "Peace
can exist through prayer and Love, but it is necessary that you respond in
action. Please respond by being the fabric of His Love. Respond
to my call of Love and Mercy through unity, prayer, penance and fasting, all of
which are important factors which can ward off wars and soften chastisements."
(Public
OLOE, Aug. 4, 1994)
3. "Do
not wait until God's Warning strikes the soul of every person in this
world, for it will be very difficult to respond and change. Please
respond now to God's call. There will not be much time after
God's Warning for the purification to befall you." (Public OLOE,
May 9, 1996)
4. " You
think you know the Truth and are favored by God, but your lack of prayer, lack
of charity and self-seeking ways expose your hardened hearts and the truth of
your indifference….Please respond to this call of peace through prayer
and actions of love." (Public OLOE, Feb 24, 2000)
5. "Do
not hesitate any longer in cooperating with my Son's request for preparations. When
you desire something from my Son, you desire a quick response. Yet, when He
asks you for something of yourselves, you are slow to respond and are
indifferent. Ponder your motives, and please respond to the
grace God is giving to you." (Public OLOE, May 4, 2000)
6. "As
you have witnessed, in a moment's glance you could have all and lose all….Use
your gifts wisely, and know that I am here with you. I am not leaving, even
if you think I am far away. Be prepared. Pray with all your heart, and do not
take life for granted…Thank you for listening. Please respond!"
(Public
OLOE, Oct. 5, 2008)
"Please Respond!"
(Public OLOE,
Oct. 5, 2008)
“Prepare Ye the
Way of the Lord!”
(Mt 3:2, Mk 1:3,
Lk 3:4)