We Would Love
to Keep in Touch!
In her conversation with Mélanie and Maximin, the Beautiful Lady refers to the families of that time, and their coming difficulties in living: struggle to provide for their families in times of famine, and even facing the death of small children...
She tenderly invited them: “Come closer, my children."
Had Melanie ever heard her so-called home described so affectionately? We don't know. As far as Maximin is concerned, we are better informed, since the Beautiful Lady reminded him of words from his father: "Here, my child, eat bread again this year ..." The wheelwright Giraud expressed that he feared that his family might soon run out of bread because the wheat harvest was shaping up to be bad.
As for Mélanie's family, it was permanent misery. The father had no fixed occupation. Mélanie had to leave the family home from her early childhood, placed as a shepherdess in the surrounding farms. His sentiments were very realistic: when you're in misery, it counts if there is one less mouth to feed!
In her message, Mary speaks of the “six days” that God gave people to work. When she herself was Maximin's and Mélanie's age, Mary had learned in her “catechism” that God created the world in six days, and that on the sixth day he created humanity endowed with intelligence and intelligence, a force that makes him capable of working. Such gifts could only spark recognition and thanksgiving!
"...In his image and likeness, male and female (God) created them..."
Young Mary had also learned in her catechism about the creation of humanity, that God created the family, since he had created it in his image and likeness: “...male and female (God) created them...” (Genesis 1:27b). And God had invited them to have children: “Be fertile and multiply.. ” (Genesis 1:28). To the two children of La Salette, Mary spoke repeatedly of “My Son (Jesus).”
Now with regard to the family, Jesus had specified: “...what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Matthew 19:6). Therefore no divorce. And his Son did not hide from his disciples that this was a commandment that was not always easy to practice.
The Beautiful Lady did not just talk about her Son to Maximin and Mélanie; she showed him to them, fixed on that luminous, glorious cross, which so impressed the two children. With regard to the family, her Son was not therefore satisfied to make demands. His death for love of them made him overcome all restraints, even that of death! Because the Risen One attests to the families - husband, wife, children - who open themselves up to him, that love, made up of patience and multiple pardons, can do anything.
At La Salette Mary recalls the words of the Father: “I have kept the seventh (day) for myself...” This opening is given to them in the celebration of this seventh day, a day of bonding with their Creator, a day when families can recreate and strengthen the bonds which unite them.
Yes, it is true that, "The tears of the Beautiful Lady are the tears of a mother who says everything about her love for her children."
(Reprinted with permission from the La Salette Publication, Les Annales, 2009, September-October, pg. 9)