{"id":24678,"date":"2016-09-09T01:58:41","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T07:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=24678"},"modified":"2017-04-17T21:57:39","modified_gmt":"2017-04-18T01:57:39","slug":"where-heaven-touches-earth-p-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/where-heaven-touches-earth-p-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Heaven Touches Earth","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

PART II
\n \"michael2\"St. Michael in the foreground of the Monastery at Mount Tabor, <\/span><\/em>Tecate, Mexico<\/span><\/p>\n

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WE <\/strong>arrived in the early evening at the monastery just before sunset, the words “Mount Tabor” emblazoned on the side of the mountain in white rock. My daughter and I could sense immediately that we were on holy ground. <\/em>As I unpacked my things in my little room at the novitiate house, I looked up to see an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one wall, and Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart above my head (the same image used on the cover of the “Flame of Love” book.) I had a feeling that there would be no coincidences on this trip…<\/p>\n

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I sat on my bed and grabbed my diary, letting the dialogue between a Mother and a son continue…<\/p>\n

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Here I am, my Lady, consecrated entirely to you. I have lived my consecration poorly; I have failed you often. But here I am again, giving everything to you. Take me, and all I am, and all I possess\u2014everything\u2014and help me to use it for the glory of God and the building up of the Kingdom. Pray for me<\/em>, sweet Mother. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And once again, I sensed the gentle presence of the Woman clothed in the sun, stooping to her little boy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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My child, the Father has given this opportunity for me to speak to your heart… be assured, absolutely assured of how much I love you, and how joyful I am that you have come to my House of Prayer. Here, I will bless you with every good thing, given to me by the Father for your benefit and that of your dear spiritual children. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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ANTICIPATE GRACES<\/p>\n

I knew this Scripture immediately. It was a pivotal word on one of my first concert tours to the United States. My wife and our children (seven at that time), were making our way through California, only half an hour or so from where I was now sitting in Mexico. Our tour bus kept overheating. I took it to one shop after another, and before we knew it, I estimated that we had spent nearly $6000 in repairs\u2014and our tour had scarcely begun. As we made our way across the desert towards Houston, I started to grumble and complain (not unlike the Israelites). “Lord, don’t you know that I’m on Your <\/em>side?? How can we ever get ahead when we are continually falling behind?”<\/p>\n

By the time we arrived in Louisiana two days later, I knew that I was in the wrong, that I was sorely lacking in faith, trust, and a childlike heart. So that afternoon, after we unloaded our sound equipment, I went to confession with Fr. Kyle Dave (a priest who would later flee hurricane Katrina a few weeks later, and stay with me in Canada. It was during his stay that the Lord revealed the foundational and more “prophetic” writings of this website). He told me to reach into a little cloth bag of small papers with Scriptures on them, and meditate on one for my penance. The Scripture I pulled out was 2 Corinthians 9:6…<\/p>\n

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Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. (v. 6-8)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Two nights later, after a concert in Pensacola, an elderly lady approached me, placed a paper in my hand and said, “I sold my house and want to help you out.” It was a cheque for $6000.<\/p>\n

Now, years later, as I sat there in Tecate, Mexico, wondering exactly why Our Lady obviously led me there, I could sense her assurance again through God’s Word, that everything this apostolate needs will be cared for. But not only the apostolate, but all those who are remaining faithful.<\/em> I read on…<\/p>\n

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You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God… Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (v. 11-15)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There was a new light in this passage, the sense that God is going to pour out an abundance of graces upon all those who are readying themselves at this hour through prayer, faithfulness, and conversion. It was a sense that something huge <\/em>is coming upon the Church, at least, upon that little remnant who are “watching and praying”. The Mass readings that day seemed to bounce off the page, as they would in the days ahead…<\/p>\n

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The nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when in their sight I prove my holiness<\/em> through you… you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:23-28)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The sense of only a “few” being ready for these graces was underscored in the Gospel\u00a0when many “ignored the invitation” to the King’s banquet, instead going about their “business”. [1]<\/sup><\/a>Matt 22:1-14<\/span><\/span>