Our Lady tells us clearly and profoundly about the reason for the alarming events taking place in the world: it is the poison of selfishness and hatred that rules human hearts. Therefore we do not have peace. 

This poison sometimes works very quickly but sometimes slowly and almost unnoticed. However it is always mortal. It kills. There are poisons that kill suddenly such as outbursts of anger expressed through words and deeds, which hurt and destroy love, trust, relationship and even ourselves. 

There are also poisons that work unnoticed. The poison of selfishness, pride and unforgiveness can penetrate the heart imperceptibly . It is often more dangerous when a person gets used to it and stops noticing that he is losing love and peace. He thinks only of himself and becomes selfish. 

Now we are wounded by the poison of selfishness and hatred just as the people of Israel were once struck by the serpent’s poison. In the Old Testament God commanded Moses to raise up the serpent so that everyone who looked at it would be healed. Today God gives us guidance through the Queen of Peace. She calls us not to focus our attention on the poison that wounds us or on the evil that surrounds us. She teaches us to follow Her and to direct our gaze toward Jesus raised on the Cross. In Him there is healing for every heart. In Him there is a peace that the world can not give. 

Only the one who looks at God’s love in humility may be freed from the poison of hatred. Only the one who accepts forgiveness may become an instrument of reconciliation. Our Lady gives us “resistance”. That is the choice to love. This is not an emotion. It is a personal decision for holiness. She calls us: “Be love and My extended hands. In humility pray for peace and work on reconciliation. Each one of you is important”. Many things that will happen depend on us. 

On December 2, 2017 She said: ”Dear children, you too can be holy – this depends on you. Those who are holy are those who immeasurably love the Heavenly Father, those who love Him above all. Therefore, My children, always strive to be better. In this peaceless world full of threats, your hands, apostles of My love, should be extended in prayer and mercy”. Saint Charles de Foucauld said: “Even the headwind can be God’s way of bringing us into harbour”. One man gave a profound testimony about the strength of prayer for love. For a long time he had been praying for those who were fighting against his own people. War took many of his close friends and enemy troops are destroying his country. Despite his great pain he said: “I prayed for not to have hatred for them in my heart”. 

When he later met a group of pilgrims from hostile country in Medjugorje something unexpected happened. His heart was filled with love and he felt gratitude to God for their coming to Medjugorje to beg for peace. At that moment he realized that prayer for love changes the heart more profoundly than one can imagine. Finally, he said that in his life the most important thing for him was to have humility and love within his heart”. 

Let us respond to call of heaven with a determined decision. Each one of us can become a place where the poison of selfishness and hatred stops and is transformed into love. 

Let us start with small steps: forgiveness, a smile, a helping hand and a prayer for the one we can not get along with. Peace and goodness of the world begin in our heart. 

Prayer 

Mary, Our Mother, how much our selfishness, hatred and wars should hurt You. We desire to be close to You, we desire to emphasize with You. Help us always to choose love and never cease to do so in any circumstances. We are weak and fall but we want to help You. Make us like You are in humility and through concrete acts of love. Help us to be responsible and consistent in love according to the Gospel. May every person we meet feel Your love through us so that it may be good for us on earth.