Mary, Undoer of Knots,  in the Church of Mary the Door to Heaven in Brazil is a unique painting of Mary undoing a ribbon of knots, and meditating on its fascinating meaning, this booklet explains the Blessed Mother's intervention in situations that 'have no exit,' providing prayers and novenas for miracles that relieve us of entanglement! Many are those who claim it is miraculous! click here 


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WHEN THINGS DON'T GO RIGHT WITH FOLKS, IT MAY BE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT 'OF THE WORLD'

Just as oil and water do not mix (but co-exist), so is it with the spiritual and the worldly.

During this test called life (on earth, in the "world"), we live alongside those who have less of or no spiritual side, who have few spiritual viewpoints. They have faith in the constructs of men. You have faith in God.

There is thus a subtle (and sometimes less than subtle) tension. At times, open conflict.

Hurt. Rejection. Unspoken antagonisms.

How often have you noted a resistance, a lack of harmony, a lack of melding, with those who are "of the world"?

Jesus said that the world looks after "its own," and how true this is! It accepts those who pay it homage. It rewards those who speak its language, who see it as the end result.

The world relates to them.

It elevates them.

It likes people whose views (and goals) are oriented to what is material.

What is the "world"? There are really a couple of uses for that term. God "so loved the world" means it is certainly not inherently "bad." He created it! It is bad when we deal with life only from the standpoint of what is physical, and treat the world as an idol: as if there is nothing beyond it. This is worldliness: seeing the physical and not God. Who is the "prince of this world" (as Jesus phrased it)? The devil.

And so don't be discouraged when you are rejected for no apparent reason.

Don't be disheartened if you are turned down by worldly organizations.

You're living in a different reality. You can be on the earth but not of the world.

Money, entertainments, power. Politics.

"The one who comes from above is above all," says John 3:31. "The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one Who comes from Heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony."

Do we need any example of rejection other than the Cross?

Believers have Jesus in their hearts -- and go through a microcosm of His tribulation.

"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated Me first," says John 15, as we take this further.

"If you belonged to the world, then the world would love you like it loves its own people.

"But I have chosen you out of the world. So you don't belong to the world. That is why the world hates you..."

The consolation?

Your reality lasts forever.

[resources: Why Is God Punishing Me? and What You Take To Heaven]

[See also: Michael Brown retreat, Boston area, April 25  and Retreat in Vancouver, Canada; also: Spirit Daily pilgrimage: Fatima, Avila, Lourdes: October]

[Footnote, from Vatican Radio today (4/20/15): "Pope Francis noted that this was also the way that Jesus himself was tempted by the devil. Firstly by offering him bread to eat, secondly by offering to create a great show so that people would believe in him and thirdly by urging him to worship other idols. This is our daily temptation as Christians, the Pope said, not to believe in the power of the Spirit, but instead to be tempted by worldly power. In this way we are drawn increasingly by the ways of the world towards that attitude which Jesus calls hypocrisy. We become Christians in name but in our hearts we act out of our own interests, weakening our faith, our mission and the Church itself. Just as Jesus told the crowds, “you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled."]

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