Believing the unbelievable
Last month, I was in East Malaysia to convey Our Lady’s messages. Near the city of Kota Kinabalu, one of the priests who invited me told me about the extraordinary experiences he has had with the Child Jesus in his parish since 2013. Because Christmas is fast approaching, his testimony can only help us worship more fervently the God Child, who has made Himself so near, so accessible, so tangible.
Father Nick has a heart of a real shepherd, focusing on the good he can provide his sheep with! He fell in love with the Child Jesus. He was offered a beautiful statue of the Newborn and it dawned on him to pass it around from family to family throughout the year. His goal was to allow the Holy Child to be born in the hearts of these families. There, most of the families are still united and have many children. From the very first weeks, blessings and miracles began to happen! So many families wanted the Child in their homes that they could only keep it one hour before having to let it go. In fact, in His great love, the Child granted these families wonder upon wonder. Several examples struck me:
– From Laurence Imbungan: “My granddaughter Jaklyne, 2 years old, was suffering from a serious lung infection. Since her health wasn’t getting any better, she had to go to the hospital. The day before she had to leave, our home was the first one in the village of Tuaran to welcome the Child Jesus. The atmosphere was joyful: traditional songs and music could be heard. Jaklyne kept on asking for a doll, but was never satisfied with the ones she was given. However, when the Child Jesus arrived in our home, she expressed great joy, as if she had finally found what she yearned for. When we placed the Child Jesus on our small altar and began to pray, she started vomiting profusely and what came out of her mouth was horrible! The next day, at the hospital, the doctor examined her and declared that the infection had disappeared from her lungs. Since that day, in my family, we remember the Child Jesus and how he brought us healing. We give thanks to God!”
– From Molin, village of Tangilan: “My desire was to see in a home 3 families who rejected God and did not go to church, to be touched by the Child Jesus. Their place was so poor that they were ashamed to welcome anyone in there, especially since the rain would drip into the house through the roof. But seeing the enthusiasm of the people who greeted the Child, these families also accepted His visit. They prayed for quite a while with Him, and God granted their prayer: the government gave them a new house.
-In another village, a young boy was lying on a bed, completely paralyzed. When the statue of the Child Jesus arrived in his house, his eyes opened wide with joy, he suddenly straightened out as if to go hug Him, and he was cured of his paralysis! Now he lives a normal life.
-A couple had not been going to church for many years, especially the man who intended to express his atheism for all to hear. They were offered the visit of the Child, and they agreed without knowing why. When the man received the statue in his arms a little reluctantly, he heard the Child talk to him and tell him, “So, now, do you believe?” He burst into tears, and has since then, with his wife, become a staunch pillar of his parish.
-A simple woman, a housewife and mother, received the Child in her home. She wanted to treat it like a normal baby and began to wash it. After the bath, she noticed that the skin of the Child “smelled like a baby” as if it were alive. Sometimes He would blink His eye, smile and moved His tiny hands…
It would take too long to tell all the stories I heard there. But what touched me the most was the simple faith of these villagers, and the sincere way in which they worship God. Father Nick has composed a special liturgy dedicated to the Baby’s arrival in the homes, with words of welcome, hymns, etc. The spiritual fruit is abundant: joy is restored in the homes, mutual forgiveness and reconciliations happen, love is rekindled among family members, people return to the sacraments, especially to confession… Children and young people especially are moved, they put their whole hearts into helping the pilgrim statue of Jesus to enter villages and homes in their area.
And what about us, in our Western world that is so materialistic,anxious and often so sad, what are we going to do to welcome Baby Jesus at Christmas? (See PS4). He comes loaded with gifts and blessings, and we need them so much! What joy to give Him the place of honor! His innocence is the best weapon against the evil which eats up our families from inside, Satan is so afraid of it! “I am your peace. Live my commandments,” He said on Christmas 2012, while appearing as a newborn in the arms of His mother. True peace, lasting peace, solid peace won’t be found outside of Him!
Sister Emmanuel, Medjugorje