February 11, 1946prev home
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To the Girls in Narni and Emma161 and Pia
Jesus says:
“ ‘Whoever, after setting his hand to the plough, turns around to look at the past and the possibilities of the past or looks on both sides and lingers to consider the attractions to be seen there is not suitable for the Kingdom of God.’162 And the following is also written: ‘Whoever, desiring to build a tower, does not first calculate the expenses and the difficulties he will encounter to bring it to completion will be mocked on having to leave the work unfinished.’ And the following is also written: ‘Salt is good, but if it loses its savor, what is it good for? For nothing, and it is thrown out and trampled upon.’ And I could go on with my words of old to remind you that this is not the way to respond to God’s love.
“I remind you of my splendid praise for the Baptist: ‘What did you go out to see in the desert? A reed shaken by the wind?’ And it was implied that they had gone to see not a useless, thoughtless reed, but more than a man, more than a prophet - an ‘angel.’ The angel who, through his resolution in serving the Lord from birth to death deserved to prepare the ways of the Lord. In truth, in truth, you seem to have built your house on sand and not on rock. You have not loved for my sake, in Me. You did not say ‘yes’ to Me out of love, but out of thoughtlessness and calculation. And the wind of adversity, which revives those who are true flames, cools you off.
“Do you want to deserve to hear yourselves being told, ‘I do not know you’ when you come into my presence? Do you want the words of the Apocalypse to be applied to you: ‘I know your works and that you have the name of being alive, but you are dead. Awaken and strengthen what remains and is about to die.... Remember what you have received - being chosen by Me, the name which cancels out all ignominy: “bride of Christ.” Remember what you have heard - the flame of my love, which said to you, “Come” - and observe it and do penance’? And also: ‘Because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth’?
“Oh, in all truth I am at the door of your hearts and knock and say, ‘Open to Me, O sister, O my bride!’ But you close the little door, opening onto the rough road over which the Lover comes to have you journey along ‘his’ road and lead you to Heaven, whereas you open the big door to the comfortable, attractive way of the world, on which there are appearances of joy behind which is the reality of restlessness, afflictions, mockery, and condemnations - the last of which is mine, when I say to you, ‘I do not know you.’ And I could say so out of charity, for if I lacked charity, I would then have to say to you, ‘Out of my sight, you that have betrayed and disdained Me!’
“Wake up, act, be holy. I do not like your conduct. You have charity for neither Jesus nor your mother. You crucified her and now confirm her on the cross without mercy, not being open with her, forgetful of what you cost her, ungrateful for what she suffers and will suffer for you. But every saint has his enemies, and the most hostile are always the most beloved among his followers. Well then, at least be sincere. Be decisive in your action. I say to you what I said to Judas Iscariot: ‘Do quickly what you want to do.’ I tell you this.
“And you, you that suffer, I clasp you to my Heart. I will not fail you even if the whole world does. I will not condemn you, O my bride crowned with thorns. Even if you have erred as a creature, your present suffering absolves you from everything. And be sure. My peace will be the river of rejoicing which will inebriate you when pain is over.
“And to you as well who are expiating, O Pia, and perhaps tremble at having deserved my reproach, I say, ‘I am the Good Shepherd.’ Suffering is expiation. But God gives it to those He loves and wants to be forgiven at the hour of death.
“Remain in my peace, both of you. In my peace....”
February 11, 1946, Our Lady of Lourdes.
161 Probably a reference to Emma Federici. See note 4.
162 We shall list the present quote and other which follow in order: Matthew 5:13, 7:22- 27, 11:7-10, 25:11-12; Mark 9:48; Luke 6:46-49, 7:24-27, 9:62, 13:24-27, 14:28-30 and 34-35; John 10:11, 13:27; Apocalypse 3:1-3 and 15-16 and 20.