IS MEDJUGORJE A HOAX AND A MONEY MAKING SCAM?

Our Lady of Medjugorje

For weeks I have not really been writing anything for my blog because I really couldn't find the time. But I will try to write something tonight with the little time I have. What prompted me to write tonight's article? I have been browsing the web looking for articles about Medjugorje, and, as usual, I came across many negative things about Medjugorje. The question I would like to answer tonight is, "Is Medjugorje a hoax and a money making scam?"

Before I proceed any further, I would like to ask these questions? Are we being deceived by Medjugorje? Why do we go to Medjugorje in the first place? To pray and to spend some precious moments with the Lord. To be with our Blessed Mother and to share some beautiful moments with Her. To spend some quiet moments pondering over our lives and to find ourselves. To ask the Lord and His Blessed Mother what they want from us. To experience the peace that we seldom find back home. Can we say that we are being deceived to do such things? Well, I would say that it's a great blessing to be able to get so close to Jesus and our Blessed Mother in this holy place. And of course no one can force us to do these things if we don't want to.

The reason why I went to Medjugorje is clearly explained in my first article on this blog and I do not wish to reiterate here. Suffice it to say, Our Lady has personally invited me to be with her in this place of grace. If our Blessed Mother wants us to be there, we will get there somehow. Anyone can say anything about Medjugorje but your instinct will guide you to the truth. Just follow your instinct and do what is right. It is not for anyone to tell me that the visionaries are telling lies or telling the truth as I always look at the evidence from both sides. Finally, it was the feeling of Our Lady's presence in Medjugorje that brought me to this place - I have not been duped. I suppose the same applies to all those who have been to Medjugorje. If someone were to tell you that there is a goddess in the moon, I am sure you would not believe it until you have found proof of it. We are not fools. We all have brains and we can know what is right and wrong by listening to our conscience.

In Medjugorje, I could see the pilgrims praying the rosary everywhere - in the Church, on their way to the shops, while they were climbing Podbrdo Hill and Mount Krizevac, and while they were on their way to the Church. Those who seldom pray would suddenly find themselves praying for hours each day and those who seldom attend Church would attend Church several times a day. Why? Because this is the way of life in Medjugorje as it is not possible not to pray or attend Church in Medjugorje. These are the good fruits of Medjugorje and it would certainly be unfair to say that the pilgrims are duped into saying their prayers or going to Church. 

What about the Medjugorje conversion stories? Many pilgrims who have visited Medjugorje discovered that their faith was rekindled and are now happier with their lives. Is this a hoax or a scam? And what about their great experience of peace and the grace they have received from Our Lady during their amazing journey to Medjugorje? Is this what is meant by the Medjugorje deception? Well, if Medjugorje can make us profoundly wiser, better, and more religious, then, what is wrong with this place? Why the controversy? My advice is - follow your heart. That was what I did and my heart brought me there. And I have never regretted my pilgrimage to Medjugorje because I found myself there. Our Lady of Medjugore has been appearing to the visionaries for nearly 30 years since 24 June 1981 - is that not enough to stand the test of time?

Is Medjugorje really a money making scam? What kind of money making scam is Medjugorje involved in? Surely there is nothing wrong making an honest living providing food and lodging for the pilgrims? Do you know that Medjugorje has the cheapest hotels in the world? And surely there is nothing wrong selling souvenirs to the pilgrims at reasonable and affordable prices? Whether it is Lourdes or Fatima or the Vatican City, the pilgrims need a place to stay and they need food. They will only be too glad if they can find a wonderful hotel where they can stay comfortably and enjoy good food. Nobody wants to live on the streets with all those luggage. Nobody wants to bring along instant noodles and do their own cooking on the streets in Medjugorje. I wouldn't want to camp on the streets and cook instant noodles for my meals. That would be most unpleasant. And talking about the souvenir shops in Medjugorje, they really made me very excited because I am a shopping addict! Without those souvenir shops, life would be very dull and boring as I am the kind of person who enjoys looking at the things I buy after going on a shopping spree and feeling happy just looking at these things.

Come to think of it, I had a comfortable stay in Medjugorje. I had a beautiful and spacious hotel room with a beautiful scenery and good food to eat. I was glad that I had so many things to buy there and have enjoyed my shopping very much - thanks to the beautiful souvenir shops. I always become very much alive whenever I go shopping. When I saw the souvenir shops and so many of them too, my heart really leapt with joy. I am so proud of the Medjugorje books and souvenirs that I brought home with me. My room is full of them and they always make me feel close to Medjugorje. What if there were no souvenir shops in Medjugorje? As a great shopper, I would be really sad if I couldn't do any shopping in Medjugorje. I would hate to return home empty handed.

No one forces us to go to Medjugorje. We go there out of our own free will. In fact we should be thankful to the people of Medjugorje for making our stay there so pleasant, comfortable and enjoyable. They are only making an honest living. They have never tricked us to go there or forced us to part with our money. And they are very honest people. They have never asked for more than they deserve. 

Thanks for reading. You may also like to read IS MEDJUGORJE A SATANIC CULT?; MEDJUGORJE: FAITH OR FRAUD?; THE MIRACLES OF MEDJUGORJE; TESTIMONY OF FATHER LUKA SUSAC; and TESTIMONY OF FATHER UMBERTO LONCAR. To view the content page of this blog, please click here. 

QUOTATIONS FROM THE BIBLE

The Bible: Authorized King James Version with Apocrypha (Oxford World's Classics)

There are moments in life when we are depressed and feel that we are going nowhere because life has lost its meaning and purpose. Whether it is failure in an examination, losing a job, illness, death of a loved one, divorce or broken relationships, these can be very stressful and discouraging to all those involved. The words of the Bible are often sought when we need guidance and strength as they clearly remind us of God's promises and presence. Reading inspirational Bible verses is an excellent way to tide over the unfavorable circumstances in life and restart one's life all over again. Have faith and strengthen your relationship with God and and you will see light at the end of the tunnel. In this article, I would like to share 30 inspirational Bible verses and quotes with my readers. I hope that these would uplift their spirit and help them to keep on going with life no matter how hopeless or bleak the world seems to be. Remember, never give up because God is always by your side.

Exodus 15:2

The Lord is my strength and my courage, and he has been my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him; the God of my father, and I will exalt him.

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and give you victory.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God, who marches with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.

Joshua 1:9

I command you: be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

Psalm 37:5-6

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him; and he will bring it to pass. He will make justice dawn for you like the light, and your vindication like the noonday sun.

Psalm: 37:12-15

The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at them. But the Lord laughs at the wicked: for he sees that his day is coming. The wicked draw the sword, and bend their bows, to bring down the affiliated and the needy, and to slaughter those whose path is right. But their swords shall pierce their own hearts, and their bows shall be broken.

Psalm 37:18-20

The Lord watches over the life of the wholehearted; their inheritance will endure forever. They are not put to shame in times of disaster; and in the days of famine they will have plenty. But the wicked will perish, and the enemies of the Lord, like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed; they will vanish like smoke.

Psalm 37:39-40

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord: he is their stronghold in times of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 46:2-4

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled and the mountains shake with their surging. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

Psalm 49:16-19

Do not be dismayed when the wicked become rich, when the wealth of their homes is increased; For when they die, they shall carry nothing away: their wealth shall not descend after them. Though while they lived they counted themselves blessed: and men praised them for doing well for themselves. They shall join the generation of their fathers; they shall never see light.

Psalm 119:50

My comfort in my suffering is that your promise gives me life.

Psalm 121:7-8

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and your going, both now and forever. 

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Isaiah 12:2

God indeed is my savior; I will trust and not be afraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 40:31

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not burn you.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future full of hope."

Lamentations 3:22-23

The Lord's love never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; They are renewed each morning, great is your faithfulness.

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 17:20

Jesus said to them, "Because you have so little faith. I assure you, if your faith is as big a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you."

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

John 14:27

Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. I do not give you the kind of peace that the world gives. So do not be troubled or afraid.

John 15:13

No one has greater love than this, to lay down his life for his friends.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Be steadfast and persevering, my beloved brothers, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

That is why we never give up. Though outwardly we are perishing, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our present troubles are small, they won't last long, they are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strenghthens me.

2 Timothy 4:17

But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the nations might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's jaws. The Lord will rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.

James 1:2-4

My brothers and sisters, consider it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. For you know that when your faith is tested, this would give you endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be perfect and complete, and lacking in nothing.

1 Peter 5:10

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

You may also like to read LOURDES: MIRACLES AND THE MIRACULOUSLY HEALED; Footprints in the Sand; THE MIRACLES OF MEDJUGORJE; and MIRACLES OF JESUS. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.

SALUTATION TO THE DAWN

The dawning of a new day - 

there is nothing like a Medjugorje sunrise

Today, I would like to share a very meaningful poem written by an Indian poet, Kalidasa, entitled Salutation to the Dawn.. I don't know since when I started reading this poem but it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Here it goes:

Salutation to the Dawn

Look to this Day!

For it is life, the very life of life.

In its brief course

Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:

The bliss of growth

The glory of action

The splendor of beauty,

For yesterday is but a dream

And tomorrow is only a vision,

But today well lived makes every yesterday

a dream of happiness

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day!

Such is the salutation to the dawn.

                                                      -  Kalidasa
                                                   

Why is this poem, which focuses on just one day, so meaningful to me? Because every new day is a new beginning with new opportunities in life. It's like we are given another chance to live our lives again - another chance for great things. It should be noted that a new beginning does not necessarily mean the beginning of a new year. It may also mean a new start after a divorce or relationship, a new job, a new environment, etc. Regardless of our circumstances, let  us welcome each new day joyfully and make new resolutions. Begin a new journey, do the best that we can and make good use of the opportunities that come with it. Since every new day comes from yesterday's end, I believe that we should take time to reflect on yesterday as this will help us improve our lives but we should not be burdened by it. Yesterday represents the past and no matter how bad things were in the past, it does not matter anymore. One has to learn to let go. Every day is a new beginning and we should make the most of the present time and do better. As long as we have lived well and done our best today, there is nothing to fear about tomorrow because we reap what we sow. I am not trying to say that we shouldn't have plans for the future - we do have dreams for the future, don't we? But the best way to make our dreams come true is to take care of our present. So, let us do our best today as it is the best possible way to prepare us for the future. Let us not worry about tomorrow but welcome it with a joyful hope because we cannot control the future. Remember, you cannot change yesterday and worrying about tomorrow would only ruin your day. So, live well today and enjoy every moment of it, make room for new energy, do the things that you like to do and be happy. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it (Psalm 118:24). As what the Roman poet Horace says, "carpe diem",  a Latin expression meaning "pluck the day", used to encourage people to make the most of the present and enjoy life while they can rather than worrying about the future.

Live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. 

Just today. Inhabit your moments. Don't
rent them out to tomorrow - Jerry Spinelli

This is one of the best pieces of life advice that I have ever read about. It is very inspiring, energizing, and  renewing. I am glad I read this poem because it reminds me that life is in the present and I should treasure every moment of it. I never mourn for the past and I don't live in the future. Life is short, so cherish every moment you have. Perhaps my mom would have been wiser if she has read this poem. When I was young, she liked to buy Corning Ware sets, Rena Ware Cookware sets, and Pyrex Cookware sets and kept them all in the kitchen cabinet. She said that they were very precious and would only use them when we have grown up because she expected us to bring home lots of friends for lunch and dinner. But that day never comes and she never gets the chance to use her favorite cookware sets. Her cookware sets now belong to me and I would certainly not keep them in the kitchen cabinet for future use. My life is now! 

If you are depressed 

you are living in the past,

if you are anxious 

you are living in the future,

if you are at peace, 

you are living in the present

                                - Laotzu

Yes, seize the day! Do not live in the past. Do not live in the future. Give all your attention to every moment of your life. As what John Haggai says, "Yesterday is a cashed check and cannot be negotiated. Tomorrow is a promissory note and cannot be utilized today. Today is cash in hand. Spend it wisely (Winning over Pain, Fear and Worry, p. 411). Even Jesus says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has enough troubles of its own" (Matthew 6:34). 

Anyone can carry his burden, 

however heavy, until nightfall.

Anyone can do his work, 

however hard, for one day.

Anyone can live sweetly,

patiently, lovingly, purely,

till the sun goes down.

And this is all life really means.

         - Robert Louis Stevenson

So, let's shut the iron doors of the past and the future and live in day-tight compartments. When you wake up each morning, determine to "seize the day" and make the most of your twenty-four hours. Today is your most precious possession and your only sure possession (Dale Carnegie). "Life is too short to worry about anything. You had better enjoy it because the next day promises nothing" (Eric Davis).

You may also like to read Footprints in the Sand, How to Leave the Past Behind You and Move Forward, How Abraham Lincoln Inspired Me to Pursue My Ph.D.?, INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT INGRATITUDE, LET'S EXPECT IT, and INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM POPE FRANCIS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.

FRENCH IDIOMS

A beautiful French town - Lourdes

Learning French idioms is an interesting way to master your French and become better French speakers. Given the high number of French idioms used in every day lives, one cannot deny the fact that they are an important aspect of the French language and vocabulary. We have to learn French idioms in context because they cannot be understood from the individual words alone. Learning French idioms and expressions enables us to communicate on a deeper level with the French people because of their high frequency in discourse. In this article, I would like to share 20 French idioms (with their translations and meanings) with my readers.

1.  Avoir des lettres.
Translation:  To have letters.

Meaning:  To be well read

2.  Casser du sucre sur le dos de quelqu'un.
Translation:  Breaking sugar on someone's back.

Meaning:  Talking about someone behind his / her back.

3.  Casser la baraque.
Translation:  To break the shack.

Meaning:  To spoil something that someone else has built up.

4.  C'est un travail de Romain.
Translation:  It's a Roman's job.

Meaning:  It's a long and difficult task / A Herculean task.

5.  Couper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un.
Translation:  To cut the grass under someone's foot.

Meaning:  To pull the rug out from under somebody's feet / To cut the ground from under somebody's feet.

6.  Cracher dans la soupe.
Translation:  Spit in the soup.

Meaning:  To spoil something so that it can only be enjoyed by you.

7.  Faire cavalier seul.
Translation:  To go it alone.

Meaning:  To act alone / To go solo.

8.  Faire le mur.
Translation:  To do the wall.

Meaning:  To go over the wall / To escape / To sneak out.

9.  Faire le pont.
Translation:  To make the bridge.

Meaning:  To take a long weekend.

10.  Jeter de l'huile sur le feu.
Translation:  To throw oil on the fire.

Meaning:  Say or do somethig to make a bad situation worse, to add fuel to the fire / Fan the flame.

11.  Il tombe des hallebardes.
Translation:  Halberds are falling.

Meaning:  It's raining cats and dogs.

12.  Mettre la clef sous la porte.
Translation:  To put the key under the door.

Meaning:  To stop an activity / To quit doing something / To close down a business or shop.

13.  Prendre un bain de foule.
Translation:  To have a crowd bath..

Meaning:  To go on a walkabout, to mingle with the crowd.

14.  Raser les murs.
Translate:  To shave the walls.

Meaning:  To keep a low profile.

15.  Saisir la balle au bond.
Translation:  To grab the ball on the rebound.

Meaning:  To seize the opportunity, to jump at the opportunity.

16.  Sauter au plafond.
Translation:  To jump to the ceiling.

Meaning:  To get very angry, to hit the ceiling.

17.  Tomber des nues.
Translation:  To fall from the clouds.

Meaning:  To be taken aback.

18.  Tomber les quatre fers en l'air.
Translation:  To fall down with four horseshoes up in the air.

Meaning:  To fall flat on one's back.

19.  Tourner autour du pot.
Translation: To turn around the pot.

Meaning:  To beat about the bush.

20.  Voir le monde par le petit bout de la lorgnette.
Translation:  To see the world through the small end of a telescope.

Meaning:  To exaggerate about oneself / To see things disproportionately.

You may also like to read FRENCH PROVERBS and HOW TO LEARN FRENCH EFFICIENTLY ON YOUR OWN. To view the content page of this blog, please click here. 

FRENCH PROVERBS

A beautiful French town - Lourdes

Every language has its own sayings or proverbs that give some kind of advice, express truth or make statements about life. In France, proverbs are used in everyday situations and, therefore, learning French would not be perfect without learning French proverbs as well. Learning French proverbs is a very effective way to expand your vocabulary and make you more French. It also provides an insight into French history and culture. In this article, I would like to share 20 French proverbs (with their translations and meanings) with my readers. 

1.  A mauvais ouvrier point de bons outils.
Translation:  A bad workman blames his tools. 

Meaning:  A person who blames the equipment when he / she has done something badly because he /she lacks the necessary skills.

2.  Aux innocents les mains pleines. 

Translation:  Full hands for the innocents.

Meaning:  The meek will inherit the earth. 

3.  Ce n'est pas la vache qui crie le plus fort qui fait le plus de lait.
Translation:  It is not the cow that moos the loudest that gives the most milk.

Meaning:  Talkers are not always doers. Those who talk the most are not always the smartest, in other words, actions speak louder than words.

4.  C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron.
Translation:  It is by forging that one becomes a blacksmith.

Meaning:  Practice makes perfect. It's by doing something that one can master a skill.

5.  C'est la poule qui chante qui a fait l'oeuf.
Translation:  It's the hen that sings that has laid the egg.

Meaning:  The guilty dog barks the loudest.

6.  Ce sont les tonneaux vides qui font le plus de bruit.
Translation:  It's the empty barrels that make the most noise.

Meaning:  Empty vessels make the most noise.

7.  Il faut casser le noyau pour avoir l'amande.
Translation:  You have to break the kernel to get the almond.

Meaning:  No pain no gain.

8.  Il ne faut pas juger les gens sur la mine.
Translation:  Don't judge people by their appearance.

Meaning:  Don't judge a book by its cover, in other words, looks can be deceiving.

9.  La faim chasse le loup du bois.
Translation:  Hunger drives the wolf out of the woods.

Meaning:  Hunger knows no law.

10.  La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.
Translation:  The strongest always prevail, whether or not they are right.

Meaning:  Might is always right.

11.  Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien.
Translation:  Better is the enemy of good.

Meaning:  Do not push yourself to achieve perfection if it is unattainable. Be content with something good.

12.  Le loup retourne toujours au bois.
Translation:  The wolf always returns to the woods.

Meaning:  We always go back to our roots.

13.  L'exactitude est la politesse des rois.
Translation:  Punctuality is the politeness of kings.

Meaning:  Punctuality is the hallmark of a gentleman.

14.  Paris ne s'est pas fait en un jour.
Translation:  Paris wasn't made in one day.

Meaning: Rome wasn't built in a day.

15.  Qui casse les verres les paie.
Translation:  He who breaks the glasses has to pay for them.

Meaning:  As you make your bed, so you must lie in it (You have to pay for your mistakes).

16.  Qui craint le danger ne doit pas aller en mer.
Translation:  He who fears danger should not go to sea.

Meaning: If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

17.  Qui n'entend qu'une cloche n'entend qu'un son.
Translation:  He who hears only one bell hears only one sound.

Meaning:  Always listen to both sides of the story.

18.  Qui ne risque rien n'a rien.
Translation: He who risks nothing, gains nothing.

Meaning:  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

19.  Tel est pris qui croyait prendre.
Translation:  He is caught who thought he could catch.

Meaning: Hoist with his own petard (To fall into one's own trap).

20.  Un malheur ne vient jamais seul.
Translation:  Misfortune never comes alone.

Meaning:  It never rains but it pours (Bad things or situations always come in groups / Bad luck never comes alone).

You may also like to read FRENCH IDIOMS and HOW TO LEARN FRENCH EFFICIENTLY ON YOUR OWN. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.