Our Lady of Fatima

   In 1917 the Blessed Mother appeared to three peasant children in Fatima, Portugal.  She didn’t choose to manifest herself to the wise or the learned, or even the adults, but to simple children.  Today the Church celebrates and remembers the message she imparted and the miracles that occurred.

   I’m always amazed by the people Our Lady appears to.  Peasant children in Fatima, the teenage child Bernadette at Lourdes, the peasant Juan Diego on the hill at Tepeyac.  Why the children, the uneducated, the peasants?

   Jesus said, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (Matt 11: 25).  The wise and the learned sometimes think they are too wise and educated; they cannot accept what they don’t understand.  Children have an open heart, ready to learn and believe.  “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” (Mark 10: 15).

   The word of God and His messages brought by the Blessed Mother have most often come to us via the simple, those with a childlike faith ready to believe and accept God’s word.  From the earliest disciples to the children at Fatima, His messengers have been the humble and the meek.

   There are things in the plans of God that can never be understood in this life, things of faith rather than learning.  Striving to learn and be better educated is a worthy goal, but always keep in mind that it is the open, childlike faith that most readily receives the word of God.  It is this simple, accepting faith that will lead us to our Lord and Savior.

Lord, open our hearts to Your message.

Give us a childlike faith to accept it.

Give us the heart of a lion to live and share it.

Amen