Luke 15:11-31

The lost son (the ‘prodigal’) and the dutiful son

Then he said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, let me have the share of the estate that will come to me," So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.

When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch; so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating but no one would let him have them. Then he came to his senses and said, "How many of my father’s hired men have all the food they want and more, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired men." So he left the place and went back to his father.

‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him. Then his son said, : "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening and kill it; we will celebrate by having a feast, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found." And they began to celebrate.

‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. The servant told him, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf we had been fattening because he has got him back safe and sound." He was angry then and refused to go in, and His father came out and began to urge him to come in; but he retorted to his father, "All these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed any orders of yours, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property -- he and his loose women -- you kill the calf we have been fattening.

‘The father said, "My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.’

Jesus speaks: I have a plan. What is your attitude? Do you act for Me or for yourselves?

You do not know how this plan is from of old. Before the Blessed Mother was conceived, the Scripture foretold the birth of the Child born of the Woman.

The more you act selfishly, the more you will have trouble, for the plan is that of My Father.

He calls the souls. As they respond, it is up to you to help the plan of the Father unfold, not stifle it for selfish reasons or personal gain. Jealousy has been a problem in the world.

Every person is called by Me. My Junior Shepherds, My core chapter, was chosen by Me to do the mission for more years than you will have.

As you act in My name as I desire, My plan will unfold. The messages were formed in the lives of the young. The first ones that were formed by these messages have fought with the ancient serpent that wants to choke off the young and tender shoots. The devil has it planned that so many youth will fall into a burning pit of sulfur.

I cry for the youth. I shed the tears of sorrow over the city of Jerusalem. I longed to hold them to My breast as a mother hen. I said to the women,

‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.

Jesus speaks: Oh, My children, My Mother appears with a sword in her Heart.

Satan is eating your young alive. Do not smite My plan. Live to follow it.

Oh, My beloved youth, I cry to you, I cry to you to return to the truth. Oh, My world, in the age of violence and sin, noise and hatred, in the age of cold hearts, My children, I call and you must open your arms. I long to gather them in My arms.

Oh, My men, you see the plan today, I give you the plan of the future. You see a little city, I show you the world, you want a little place to do your bidding, I call you to the wide open spaces where the rapid expansion of My Movement will flourish.

You see a day’s events, I look to the century, the time to come. My men, you are narrow in vision. I open your eyes, but it is your hearts I want, it is your trust, it is the compliance to put aside the self-desire to control, to handle things on an earthy plane. Listen to the call of the Mighty God, the One Who announces an ancient plan, the One Who shows you the Divine Bridegroom and reveals the secrets of His Heart for the bride He desires. I am the Initiator, you are the ones who follow.

I am God.

Mary came to lead the men to My Heart.

Did you think she would reveal the depth of the Heart of the Divine Bridegroom?

My children, I, Myself, through the hand of My messenger, write to you the letters of My love given in My Blue Books.

I have called you all to this mission. When I call and form one, you do not know how important "one" may be to the unfolding of the plan.

All the money in the world is mine. I teach you trust, I teach you to have faith, I teach you about hope, I have the plan. I am the Almighty God. You must not be jealous or narrow-minded. You must open your hearts and let My plan unfold and pray for the young. I formed you, I molded you for this mission of today. I watched you as a mother watches a child, I have been patient with your failings, I have loved you unconditionally. I am the Divine Master, Your God. I ask you to follow My lead, to open your hearts, to surrender and to be of a heart focused only on God’s will.

Love comes to its perfection in us
when we can face
   the Day of Judgement fearlessly,
because even in this world
we have become as he is.
In love there is no room for fear,
but perfect love drives out fear,
because fear implies punishment
and no one who is afraid
   has come to perfection in love.
Let us love, then,
because he first loved us.
Anyone who says ‘I love God’
and hates his brother,
is a liar,
since whoever does not love the brother
   whom he can see
cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Indeed this is the commandment
   we have received from him,
that whoever loves God,
   must also love his brother.

Jesus speaks: I end with this Blue Book entry:

Puff and Toot

April 15, 1994

R. My daughter played the song Puff and Toot and we sang and laughed. "I've got to make it! I've got to make it! I've got to make it!" Sometimes when I do it myself, I try so hard. I try so hard to do everything right. Think of going up a big hill and huffing and puffing. Then the hand of God reaches down and lifts you. He carries you on your way.

This is how it has been in my life. When I pray over people, I would lay my hands down very hard. When I pray over people and barely touch them, I can feel a strong power take over. When I sang, I would try so hard to sound good. Jesus told me to sing gently. When I let go, He sings through me. With every thing, when I am trying so hard, I am doing it. When He does it, I feel a power carrying it out.

January 28, 2000

Looking back on my life, I see how our Blessed Lord has been preparing me for Shepherds of Christ. My childhood revolved around prayer and involvement in Church activities. I am eternally grateful for the influence of my parents who taught me to love the Mass, and to respect priests and religious. My father would not tolerate prejudice of any kind, setting the background for the career I would have serving abroad in many countries.

When I retired and returned home I wondered what I would do, as I looked immediately for a Charismatic Prayer Group, studied the Bible and attended daily Mass. I decided to continue working as a secretary, but something kept gnawing at me that there was more. One evening at a Baptism of the Spirit Seminar I was participating in, I met Rita and her son. I was taken with this young boy as I prayed with him and smiled at his mother, inviting them to come to our prayer group.

One day I arrived at work and went immediately to my computer to write a resignation letter. I had not thought of this at all and when I read it, I smiled and thanked the Holy Spirit because it was a most loving note. My boss was taken back in unbelief but was convinced I was serious. That weekend I had a knock on my door and "enter Rita." She said, "I receive letters from Jesus and wondered if you would type for me. I’ll bring over my computer." I said I would be glad to (not even a blink of the eye or questioning her receiving letters from Jesus!) This began our friendship and my privilege for the next seven years as together we recorded love letters from Jesus and Mary and from the Father. The Blue Books were born.

I could write volumes about my experiences, but will share one: I had a large Sacred Heart of Jesus picture before me as I worked and from day one as I began I heard, "I bless the work of your hands." and knew it was from Him because my hands would fly across the keys and I knew He was doing the work for me. Every message I typed went straight to my heart. I began to attend Mass and daily adoration with a love I never thought was possible. I now know Him as my personal friend and constant companion. I love Him with my whole soul and my whole being. From the very first rosary I attended with Rita and Father Carter, I knew, believed and can witness to the love that exists in Shepherds of Christ.

Presently I am living in Clearwater, Florida, working as a volunteer at Mary’s Image Site along with the handmaids, servants and apostles our Lord has chosen to be here. I am amazed how our Movement has spread world wide. I love greeting people from all over the world and listening to their testimonies, especially the many who come to tell us how Shepherds of Christ has changed their lives.

Thank you, Lord, thank you, Father, and thank you, Mary, our Mother who blesses us each day. Amen.

_{Table of Contents}

Previous Daily Message

Main Shepherds of Christ Page

Copyright © 2000 Shepherds of Christ.
Rights for non-commercial reproduction granted:
May be copied in its entirety, but neither re-typed nor edited.
Translations are welcome but they must be reviewed for moral and theological accuracy by a source approved by Shepherds of Christ Ministries before any distribution takes place. Please contact us for more information. 
All scripture quotes are from the New Jerusalem Bible, July 1990, published by Doubleday.
Revised: January 27, 2000
URL: http://www.SofC.org
Contact Information for Shepherds of Christ
Email: info@SofC.org

Shepherds of Christ Ministries
PO Box 193
Morrow, Ohio 45152-0193

Telephone: (toll free) 1-888-211-3041 or (513) 932-4451
FAX: (513) 932-6791