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Part IX of 12 Part Series
FEAR “What on earth are you afraid of?” (Compiled by Michael T. Sullivan, MD)
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk 2:10-11)
In medical terms, “fear” is often defined as an unpleasant, strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, often accompanied by increased autonomic activity (increased heart rate, blood pressure and sweating). “Anxiety” is defined by an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by the same physiological signs, by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it. However, “fear” in the most general term as used in the English vernacular, and so often in the multitude of mystical gifts from God the Father, Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Emmitsburg through Gianna Sullivan, most often implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. The moral evaluation of anxiety begins with the exercise of prudence, to discover if there are valid grounds for the apprehension. If there are not, to act on the anxiety or fail to act because of it would be a lack of trusting God’s Providence.
Part IX
22. Fear of the Future: The New Beginning
Fear of the Future: The New Beginning
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.” (Rev. 1:3)
If we are to consider a “new beginning,” then it would seem appropriate that there was necessarily to be an “end” of something. There have been some who propose that the “end of the world” was imminent; however, Biblically this is not at all consistent with Church teaching. However, the concept of an “end of an era” to be followed by an “era of peace” is well within the not unambiguously defined parameters of interpretation of the Book of Revelation. If this period of time is approached with the eyes of faith, it can certainly be viewed as a time of great hope. However, if it is viewed with eyes of something other than faith, it most certainly could be perceived with great fear and confusion.
Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fatima delivered a message which cried out to be put into practice for the preservation of the world, for the salvation of the world and for World Peace. Her teachings were in harmony with the Gospel and called to mind with new emphasis many Truths central to our Roman Catholic Faith, and many to all of Christianity:
1. The Mystery of the Blessed Trinity 2. The Providence of God, which directs and governs the world and presides over the events of human history 3. The omnipotence and omniscience of God, for whom Our Lady foretold future events (wars and the spread of Communism by Russia) and revealed miraculous signs (the Miracle of the Sun, Oct. 13, 1917) 4. The reality of sin as an offence against God (and the Immaculate Heart of Mary) with its tragic consequences for sinners and for nations 5. The reality of Heaven, Purgatory and Hell 6. The Real Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament 7. The necessity of penance and prayer and their value in atonement and intercession 8. The Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the importance of Marian devotions, especially the Rosary and the First Saturday devotions 9. The powerful action of God’s grace which so transformed the three little children at Fatima and which can still do so in 2012 10. The sanctity of the family, modeled after the Holy Family, as seen during the last apparition on October 13, 1917 11. The significance of the role and authority of the Holy Father 12. The final Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
To this list Our Lady of Emmitsburg, through Gianna Sullivan, has added the following prophesies:
1. That the Emmitsburg area is the “Center of her Immaculate Heart” 2. It is the only apparition site in history where the Father has allowed her to come presenting the Child Jesus as a refuge for all children. 3. It is from this place, the Center of her Immaculate Heart, that God’s Divine Mercy will be unveiled and the Child Jesus through His spiritual Eucharistic Reign will usher in an Era of Peace. 4. What commenced in Fatima with her three little children will continue now and come to fruition here at the Center of her Immaculate Heart.
Fatima marked a new beginning in Our Lady’s Plan in this modern age, but with the death of Sister Lucia of Fatima in 2005, has the baton been handed on? It was in August, 1992, that Our Lord in His Lessons to the world through Gianna first elaborated on this new theme, that of a new beginning:
“…. Wherever you walk, you walk into a new beginning. Also, it becomes a finish line; for where you pass, you begin anew and pass in final victory….The finishing point becomes the place of beginning. The place of beginning results in completion. That is why I say, ‘Live in the moment’.…God is the beginning and the end. Union is the oneness, the beginning, the end, the Alpha, the Omega, and He Who is each moment.” (JOM, Vol. IV, #80, Aug. 15, 1992)
“The One who sat on the Throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’.… Then He said to me, ‘It is accomplished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give freely of the fountain of the water of life. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be My son.’” (Rev 21:5-7)
Our Lady of Emmitsburg picked up on this theme of a new beginning in 1999 when she emphasized again the role of the Child Jesus:
“It is my Son, as the Child Jesus, who will usher in `the new era of peace, to give you hope and invite all the world to be enthroned in His virtues. It is not the end of the world as you know it, but a hope for a new beginning.” (OLOE, Sept, 30, 1999) “Join Jesus, little children, as you enter a new day, a new beginning, and the era of peace it promises, peace not as the world knows it to be but as only God can give.” (OLOE, Dec. 30, 1999) “A time of tribulation has erupted, and through this tribulation will come a new peace. Those who have had to suffer will now have a rest and share in the new beginning and wear a crown of peace, no longer a crown of agony. For those who have caused trouble and those who have maligned my Son, you too have a new hope because my Son is all-forgiving and He loves you. Thus, there is no guilt or shame you must wear, but only in your hearts bear a hope for unity and an openness to follow whatever my Son desires in His Holy Will. Together both sides can join now in unity, and with this is tremendous hope for a new peace, a new love, a new beginning, a new world and a new era.” (OLOE, Nov. 1, 2002)
On the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena, April 29, 2003, Our Lord unexpectedly appeared to Gianna and said:
“Humanity does not realize the importance of children. Because they do not understand the gift of “life” of a child and the gift of My Death for all children, gifts which all people are called to share, they cannot realize the return of the Child in My Most Sacred Presence in the Most Holy Eucharist.”
Our Lord then concluded:
“We are embarking now on the new beginning, the first phase of the unveiling of My Divine Mercy. When humanity realizes the trouble in the world, they will look for My Mercy. They will realize that they are prisoners to a few people who control their lives through power and through materialistic and monetary means, both in the Church and in the world. People will come back to Me, and I will reveal the Truth and ratify My prophets.” (Our Lord to Gianna, April 29, 2003)
Throughout 2003 Our Lady of Emmitsburg began to more fully describe some of the features of this new beginning and what those might expect who live through it:
“The new beginning is unfolding, triumphant indeed; but the way God works throughout history and in this very time is always magnificently mysterious. The mystery of Christ’s Love is such that all can live in their faith and rise to a new beginning where all will know that they have been created in the oneness and likeness of the Triune God.” (Private OLOE, Jan. 12, 2003) “It is not the end; it is only the beginning, the beginning of a new Life. It is not the end of the world; it is the end of an era. In the end of the era there will be a tremendous change, and then there will be new Life….When you live through it, which you shall do, you shall see not only the sorrow, you shall live not only the pain, but you shall also know the Truth, and you shall experience the glory of God.” (Private OLOE, Mar. 16, 2003) “In this new beginning you can join together in your suffering for everyone in this world, not only for those who are religious but also for those who are of political means; not only for those in this country, but also for those in other nations. You can offer them up to Christ my Son at the Foot of His Cross where He Himself can elevate them to the Triune God.” (Private OLOE, Apr. 15, 2003) “This is a new beginning because it will never again be the same. We then shall move forward; and as we move forward, we will address all of the other areas that have been thorns for you, those areas that have tormented you and cause you sorrow. But they will no longer continue to cause you sorrow, because my Son is with you. As He makes all things new, He will make everything new for you too. We are not leaving! We are just beginning, and now We make our home with you.” (Private OLOE, April 4, 2004)
There has always been pain and suffering in the world. Since the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, humanity has been susceptible to temptation and has a strong inclination to sin. That is no different now, except possibly in degree. The sins of mankind have always been driven by human weakness and concupiscence, but with the advances in science and technology and with the emergence of the culture of death, human arrogance has become an even greater offence against God, most notably in the areas related to Life: abortion, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, human sexuality and euthanasia. Our Lady of Emmitsburg expresses her concerns about this coming period of time:
“Life will proceed; however, if man continues to spurn God’s Mercy, life as you know it will not proceed in the same form. Already there are devastations in the world with human hands as their cause. Humanity is at risk because of the tremendous sin against the Most Sacred Heart of my Son. So your most urgent call should be for your immediate focusing on your own personal, intimate union with the Holy Trinity.”
“Be Love. Be happy little children. Be loving to one another. Do not fear; for I have said that there is no time for fear, only time for change. Rejoice, for the unveiling of my Son’s Divine Mercy is a springtime of grace and brings with it tremendous hope for a new tomorrow. This will be all in the time God has planned, all in God’s time; for you know not when. Life is a gift. Death is a gift. All is a gift if you dwell within the Covenant of Our Two Hearts.” (Private OLOE, Nov. 1, 2003)
The Warning or Illumination
“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Cor 4:6)
Much has been shared with many messengers/seers and prophets around the world over the 20th century about the “warning,” the “illumination of the soul or of the conscience,” the “enlightenment” of conscience or the “springtime of grace.” It has been prophesied by both Our Lord and Our Lady that at a point in time, each person in the world would see a glimpse of the state of his/her own soul as God sees it. Each will come to know their relationship with God and the Truth of God as well as their own sinfulness and the effects of that sin. Through the powerful graces of conversion, many people in the world may have already experienced at least the initial steps of their own personal “new beginning.” On the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ in 2003, Our Lady of Emmitsburg reviewed the Way that has been present for the last 2000 years through which humanity could enter that personal “new beginning”:
“Because my Son gave His Life for your salvation, the entire world is free, for those who desire to focus on Him, to come to Him unconditionally. All your pain and sorrow can be alleviated with your continual focusing on Him and surrendering to Him, and with your continual giving of yourselves to others. It is because of Him that there is so much of the world today that has been spared from the anger of God the Father. Tribulation and turmoil continue to exist because of the free will of people and the division among even those who are Christian. The ultimate security, the prophetic message and the Truth rest in what this feast day celebrates, namely the Body and Blood of my Son which I witnessed Him give to you.” (Private OLOE, June 22, 2003)
However, it certainly appears that most of the world is still blind to the Truth of the Gospel message and would most probably remain so without such a great gift of God’s Mercy as the “illumination of the soul.” In speaking of this great gift of illumination or enlightenment, Our Lord in His Lessons has said to the world:
“The time will come when I….shall come to examine the consciences of mankind, to bring to light the hidden darkness, and to silence all arguments.” (JOM, Vol III, #6, June 13, 1990) “The day is coming when the Son of Man will give you a warning of the bitterness of chastisement, where each man and woman across the world will see the judgment of themselves.” (JOM, Vol IV, #7, Nov. 24, 1991) “The time will come when all will experience the state of their soul. All will have to look within. It cannot be escaped.” (JOM, Vol IV, #20, June 27, 1992) “Every man, woman and child shall know the Truth of My Love. They will see the truth of the world as it is and what they have missed from postponing prayer and service through love. By seeking self-gain in the world, they will see what they have depleted from their soul through the loss of the treasures in heaven.” (JOM, Vol V, #28, Nov. 2, 1995)
Not only Our Lord in His Lessons, but also Our Lady of Emmitsburg in her Messages to the world has spoken about this merciful event:
“The time is coming when every man and woman on this earth will know that God exists. All will have a glimpse of the state of their soul. Those seconds will seem like eternity. Your love of gold and silver is about to become glittering dust and be swept away.” (Private OLOE, Aug. 27, 1992) “Do not wait until God’s warning strikes the souls of every person in this world, for it will be very difficult to respond and change….There will not be much time after God’s warning for the fire of purification to befall you. Some events are inevitable.” (Public OLOE, May 9, 1996)
Moreover, Our Lady compared the darkness and confusion which existed in the time in which she lived to our current times as she shares with the world:
“As we suffered in our humble ways, we knew that the King, our little Son, was indeed so glorious and that His radiant Love and Mercy would shine above even the darkest of nights there could ever be, and could change in those times a tomorrow, just as He can so do today, into a new beginning of glorious brightness which could illuminate the hearts of mankind.” (Private OLOE, Jan. 4, 2004)
The Intervention of the Father
Our Lady of Emmitsburg first alluded to a more active and apparent role of God the Father in January, 2004, when she explained this:
“God’s blessings have been poured out upon this country since its inception and since its consecration to my Immaculate Heart….However, I believe that the people of this country have misused the graces. Through their lack of gratitude, lack of fortitude, lack of prayer, and lack of intuitiveness in knowing to pray for God’s Wisdom, they are now misled. They are selfish, and they are seeking self-promoting ways instead of the ways of God. Thus, their ears are deaf, and their hearts are numb; not all, but many. Those whose ears are not deaf and hearts not numb, even those I wonder sometimes if they truly desire to know their Mother, the Mother of God….If the world does not desire to walk the Way of my Son or to listen to God the Father, then perhaps God the Father needs to step in and make known to the world what His ways are.” (Private OLOE, Jan. 12, 2004) “Now, during these times of confusion and division, I have asked God the Father to intervene. Now, God the Father in a very special way is with you. It is a new beginning. This Triumph of my Immaculate Heart is one in which God the Father dwells within each creature so that each may give Him praise, glory and honor.” (Public OLOE, Apr. 3, 2005, the Feast of Divine Mercy)
As has been previously stated in prior sections of the “Fear” documents, the one message from Our Lady of Emmitsburg to the world that drew the greatest attention, more because of its shock value than because of the fact that it was scientifically plausible and Biblically consistent, was given on June 1, 2008:
“When you see the two suns on the horizon, you must know that this is a time of change, a time of this new beginning about which I have spoken to you before. After you see the two suns, there is only a short time before you will see a tremendous change in weather….After a while, you will see a time when there is another body in orbit around your solar system, coming between Earth and the Sun and leading to tremendous devastation. Approximately 60-70% of the world’s population, as you know it, will cease….Prayer is the answer! Prayer can mitigate much of anything to come….So prepare, spiritually prepare. You will always be with my Son if you trust. God has a special plan, a new beginning! Look to Him; and do not fear, but love with all your heart.” (OLOE, June 1, 2008)
Yes, this is the message that set off the controversy and that mobilized the critics and doubters. It prompted the Church authorities to issue a “caution”; but it also provided an opportunity for many to review what has been prophesied at many previous sites and what is known scientifically as well as supported Biblically regarding a devastating chastisement. Moreover, let us not forget God’s words in the Book of Zechariah:
“In all the land, says the Lord, two thirds of them shall be cut off and perish, and the one third shall be left. I will bring the one third through fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested. They shall call upon My Name, and I will hear them.” (Zec 13:8-9)
“On the horizon”: This phrase can be understood in its physical aspects, but Our Lady of Emmitsburg tries to expand its meaning spiritually for all her children:
“You must look beyond the horizon of your own vision, but look to how I have helped other people, trying only to bring them to my Son. When you beckon me and plead your cause, even in your sinful ways, I come to your aid. Why too can you not bow, remove your ‘self,’ and come to my Son, pleading to Him for all good things?”
“Help one another, and do not be biased or opinionated. Whether they be enemy or friend, do you not see that those who will survive to this new beginning are only those who can have a vision beyond this horizon, but are looking to the next one—full of Love and Peace?” (Private OLOE, May 31, 2008)
And only one week following Our Lady’s public message regarding the two suns, on June 8, 2008, in the “Words” of God the Father, He reassured the world:
“Please, children, in all my messages to you, whether they be warnings or challenges, I am still a compassionate Father, full of Mercy and Love….Let us celebrate and know, with all of your hearts and with love, a great new beginning awaits you, one where I will be with you….You are never alone.…In everything that you are, I am!” (GTF, June 8, 2008) The Refuges
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid?” (Ps 27: 1)
There has been much over the last several years put forth from various sources in the Marian world about the emergence of “refuges,” places of protection by God for many of those who have said “yes” to Him after the “illumination” of the soul. In the world in which we live, it seems very acceptable to be “lukewarm” or “indifferent” in almost any situation, and there are far more “grey” areas than “black” or “white” ones in almost any problem area. However, following the illumination of the soul, the playing field would seemingly have to be leveled, and Truth re-established. Thus, there would then exist those who have said “yes” to God and those who have said “no” to God. This situation would most likely bring on an intense persecution and attempted elimination of God’s faithful, His remnant, by many who would be in positions of power, influence and control. Without Divine intervention and protection, who would survive this attack? It certainly makes sense that there could be places of physical refuge throughout the world where those who were to survive into the new era would be safe and protected and their necessities provided.
However, even though many alleged prophets have offered more specific information about physical refuges, Our Lady of Emmitsburg has spoken in more general terms, offering her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart and the Eucharistic and Most Sacred Heart of her Son, the Child Jesus, as the spiritual refuge for all her children:
“There is no place in the world that has had the power behind this name, the ‘Center of my Immaculate Heart.’ For it is at this place that I bring my Son, the Child Jesus, as a refuge, a refuge for all children. You cannot go before God unless you become like a child. Only those who are like a child shall enter the Kingdom. So my little Child is inviting all people regardless of age to return to Him and to be with Him and seek Him as refuge.” (Private OLOE, June 8, 2002) “This is the place in salvific history where God has chosen to unveil His Divine Mercy. It is not just another apparition site; however, it is the site for humanity to seek refuge, a site that will go down in history as one of the greatest places of my presence to which God has allowed me to come. Because of this, there is more controversy, conflicting data and also trivial, insignificant scrupulosity in conversations among people.” (Private OLOE, Nov. 18, 2003) “All has been real, and here in that reality is where there shall be a place for all children of the world to come to seek refuge, children of God, children of faith and hope, little children of purity and love.” (Private OLOE, Aug. 3, 2004) “All peoples of all ages and all faiths will once again be able to rekindle their childlike ways and seek refuge in my Son.” (Private OLOE, Sept. 24, 2004) “For this is a safe haven, a refuge for all children and those who are ‘childlike.’ This is the Center of my Immaculate Heart. The first place in history where the Child Jesus invites and will protect all children….”
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Mt 18:3)
“…I desire all people to realize the Truth of my presence here as a blessing. I desire that they come and that they find out the grace and blessings that will be theirs if only their hardened hearts would be open, even initially if only out of curiosity their hearts would be open.” (Private OLOE, Jan 31, 2007)
Certainly, the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary extends far beyond what Our Lady has defined as its “Center” here in the Emmitsburg, MD area, to all her children throughout the world; and through the technology of the internet as well as the print media (as long as access to it remains) the Gospel message has continued to be supported by the Words of God the Father, the Lessons from Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Messages from Our Lady of Emmitsburg to the world through Gianna Sullivan. It is for this reason that she so encourages all of her children to spread the words from Heaven which Our Lady has been allowed to give to all of our friends, families, neighbors, acquaintances and even enemies. However, there most likely will come a time when our prayer and how we love will be our primary means of communication. The purpose of this gift of the Center of her Immaculate Heart by God to humanity has become clearer as time has passed. Our Lady explains:
“Here and now is a place of refuge, as has been mentioned before. You are safe, especially since what has been foretold will come to pass. The hour and the day you need not know if you are one with God, for it will not matter. If you are not one with God, you will fear….Take serious this invitation! For if you think another day can pass without taking action on your part, then when that day arrives you may not have the opportunity. So act now!” (Public OLOE, Mar. 11, 2007)
The Remnant
“Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt?” (Mic 7:18-19)
Webster’s Dictionary defines remnant as a “small number of persons left over.” And in reference to the “remnant,” Our Lady of Emmitsburg has said:
“The world now goes about its way thinking nothing will happen; and yet, just as in Noah’s time, so too then there were many very busy people going about their way. Only a few really paid attention to God’s words. God the Father has promised not to totally destroy the world again. (Genesis 90:11) However, in this day you see the same scenario, people merrily going their way, busy doing things and preoccupied with many self-satisfying activities. Yet there are few who are paying attention to the words of God, few dedicated most whole-heartedly to my most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. These remnant few are the Light of my Son, to help the others in time of need and to draw them closer to the Truth for protection, comfort, and most importantly to rest in the glory of God.” (Private OLOE, Apr. 30, 2006) “The remnant few who truly focus on the Light of my Son radiate such tremendous Love, that even those few can change the world. You may not see the world changing. In fact, you may even see things in the world intensifying and being torn apart in different directions; but it is necessary for all this to surface, because any wound is healed from the inside out, and everything surfaces to the top and then explodes, as in a boil.” (Private OLOE, May 6, 2006) “But with time, as in the past, you will see, whether there be great numbers or few in the remnant, that those who hold true to their hearts the Love of God will always be safe and will make a new path for this change for the new tomorrow.” (Private OLOE, July 30, 2008)
“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Mt 9:37-38)
A glimpse of the future that has been provided first in the Sacred Scripture and especially in the Book of Revelation, and that has been studied and more fully understood over the centuries through human reasoning and technological advancement, both through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, can certainly be a source of intimidation and fear. Yet, in God’s Divine Plan and Providence, it remains a cause for great hope. However, as Our Lord said in one of His early Lessons to the world on December 13, 1988:
“This is not a game. This is true, for I am Truth, and this is serious!” (JOM, Vol. I, Dec. 13, 1988)
God has allowed the trials and tribulations; God has granted all of the consolations; and He likewise has provided the means to the glorious end. In the Words of God the Father in December, 2007, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, He said to the world:
“Bring all—all to the Throne of God!…Every soul is important. It is not what you say, but what you do….If you know Love, and if Love knows you, then embraced as One you can only move forward in the Light of Love….Vigilance, prudence, temperance, patience, humility and complete surrender to My Divine Will are the ultimate end of gratification and the ultimate beginning.” (GTF, Dec, 8, 2007)
“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Peter 1:6-7)
The Invitation
So let us invite the entire Heavenly Court, all the celestial choirs of Angels and all the Saints to join all humanity and Our Lady here at the Center of her Immaculate Heart. Let us ask for the grace to fear not, to trust and to love with all our hearts and at all costs; and let us also pray for the courage to do what She has asked us here, “Make my words known to all people!”; as we prepare for the new beginning in joyful anticipation for the new tomorrow to follow!
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me…. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 3: 19-20, 22)
“Foolish the nation whose God is not their Lord!” (Private OLOE, Jan. 4, 2010)
“What a foolish nation that would not prepare!” (Private OLOE, Jan. 6, 2010)
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