A Healing Retreat

I HAVE tried to write about some other things the past few days, particularly of those things forming in the Great Storm that is now overhead. But when I do, I am completely drawing a blank. I was even frustrated with the Lord because time has been a commodity lately. But I believe there are two reasons for this “writer’s block”…

One, is that I have over 1700 writings, a book, and numerous webcasts warning and exhorting readers as to the times we are passing through. Now that the Storm is here, and pretty much evident to all but the most crusty of hearts that “something is wrong”, I hardly need to repeat the message. Yes, there are important things to be aware of that are rapidly coming down the pike, and that’s what The Now Word – Signs site is doing daily (you can sign up for free).

More important, though, I believe Our Lord has one goal in mind presently for this readership: to prepare you to not only endure through the Storm that will test everyone, but to be able to “live in the Divine Will” during and after. But one of the greatest obstacles to living in the Divine Will is our woundedness: unhealthy thought patterns, subconscious responses, judgments, and spiritual chains that prevent us from being able to love, and be loved. While Jesus does not always heal our bodies in this life, He wants to heal our hearts.^[1]John 10:10 This is the work of Redemption! In fact, He has already healed us; it’s just a matter of tapping into that power to bring it to completion.^[2]cf. Phil 1:6

He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

Baptism begins this work, but for most of us, rarely completes it.^[3]cf. 1 Pet 2:1-3 What we need are the powerful effects of the other Sacraments (ie. the Eucharist and Reconciliation). But even these can be rendered somewhat sterile if we are bound up in lies — like a paralytic.

And so, as I’ve mentioned earlier, it has been on my heart to lead my readers into an informal online “healing retreat” so that Jesus can begin a deep cleansing in our souls. As a guide, I will draw upon the words that the Lord spoke to me during my recent Triumph retreat, and lead you into these truths, for “the truth will set you free.”

In that regard, I am taking the role now of the “four men” who brought the paralytic to Jesus:

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven… I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” (cf. Mark 2:1-12)

Maybe the paralytic was astonished to hear Jesus say “your sins are forgiven.” After all, there is no record of the paralytic saying a single word. But Jesus knew before the paralytic did what was most necessary and paramount for his life: mercy. What good is it to save the body but for the soul to linger in malady? Likewise, Jesus the Great Physician knows exactly what you need right now, even though you may not. And so, if you are willing to enter into the light of His truth, then be prepared for the unexpected…

Come, All Who Are Thirsty!

All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!
(Isaiah 55:1)

Jesus wants to heal you. There is no cost. But you have to “come”; you have to approach Him in faith. For He…

…manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him. (Wisdom 1:2)

Perhaps one of your wounds is that you really don’t trust God, really don’t believe that He will heal you. I get that. But it’s a lie. Jesus may not heal you how or when you think, but if you persevere in faith, it will happen. What often blocks Jesus’s healing are lies — lies that we believe, put stock in and cling to, more than His Word.

For perverse counsels separate people from God… (Wisdom 1:3)

And so these lies need to be extinguished. They are, after all, the modus operandi of our perennial foe:

He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

He lies so as to murder our peace, to murder joy, to murder harmony, murder relationships, and if possible, murder hope. For when you have lost hope, and live in that lie, Satan will have his way with you. So, we need to break those lies with a truth from the lips of Jesus Himself:

Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! —Jesus to St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary, n. 1448

So now, it is not a matter of your feelings but of faith. You have to trust that Jesus can and wants to heal you and set you free from the lies of the prince of darkness.

In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. (Eph 6:16)

And so, Scripture continues:

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their way,
and sinners their thoughts;
Let them turn to the LORD to find mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
(Isaiah 55:6-7)

Jesus wants you to call upon Him so that He may save you, for “everyone shall be saved who calls on the name of the Lord.” ^[4]Acts 2:21 There’s no caveat to that, there’s no condition that says because you have committed this or that sin and this many times, or hurt this many people, that you are disqualified. If St. Paul, who murdered Christians before his conversion, can be healed and saved,^[5]Acts 9:18-19 you and I can be healed and saved. When you put limits on God, you put limits on His infinite power. Let’s not do that. This is the hour of having faith “like a child” so that the Father can love you as you really are: His son or His daughter.

If you do, then I believe with all my heart that after this little retreat…

…in joy you shall go forth,
in peace you shall be brought home;
Mountains and hills shall break out in song before you,
all trees of the field shall clap their hands.
(Isaiah 55:12)

A Mother’s Retreat

So, before we begin, I have a few things to go over in the next writing that are crucial to this being a successful retreat for you. I also want to complete this retreat during this month of Mary by Pentecost Sunday (May 28th, 2023), because ultimately, this work will pass through her hands so that she may mother you and bring you closer to Jesus — more whole, peaceful, joyful, and ready for whatever God has in store next for you. For your part, it is making a commitment to read these writings and set aside the time to let God speak to you.

So that said, I am now turning over the reigns to our Mother who is the perfect vessel for the graces of the Holy Trinity to flow to your hearts. My pen is now her pen. May her words be in mine, and mine in hers. Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us.

(P.S. In case you didn’t notice, the “writer’s block” is over)