It is not an inconsequential development.

Since January 25, 1987, a seer at the apparition site of Medjugorje allegedly has been receiving a message meant for the world from the Blessed Mother on the twenty-fifth of each month, which tallies, over the course of twenty-six years, to more than three hundred of them. The twenty-fifth of this month -- January (1/25/13) -- will bring what may be the most anticipated one in the history of the monthly or any messages. The reason: for the first time since the apparitions started -- in 1981 -- the monthly message, on December 25, 2012, as officially reported by the local parish, was delivered not by Mary but by the Infant Jesus.

Each Christmas He is seen on the Virgin's lap. But this time, allegedly, He spoke to stunned visionary Marija Pavlovic.

What He reportedly said was as succinct as it was authoritative, powerful, and meaningful. "I am your peace," Marija quoted Him as saying (after He stood on Mary's lap). "Live My commandments." Seven words with vast implications, operating in accordance with Scripture on various levels -- and summarizing more than three decades of apparitions.

Medjugorje, situated near the city of Mostar in the interior of Hercegovina, formerly part of Communist Yugoslavia, has been under study for two years by a special Vatican commission that is expected to hand the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith a view of the events in coming months. The committee may recommend a number of ways, the three most often cited: that the apparitions be viewed by the official Church authentic; that Medjugorje should be instituted as a shrine due to its fruits but that its supernaturality not be definitively declared authentic; or that the apparitions be rejected out of hand. The second scenario is widely viewed as the likeliest, but no one outside of the committee has a solid indication of where it is headed. Pilgrims are currently allowed by the Vatican to go there, and have been, in record numbers. If and when the Church rules or issues a statement (no one is even sure if the Pope will publicly respond to whatever the commission reports to him), we will abide by its guidance.

Until then, we are free to contemplate that powerful message.

And it brings us to the crucial question:

What did the Infant mean by His "commandments"?

Here, many turn to the Book of John, particularly chapters 13 through 17, wherein Jesus, at the Last Supper, states to His disciples, in the most direct reference: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are My disciples."

The word "commandment" is found in at least sixty-three places in the New Testament. One can study every passage, particularly the Sermon on the Mount.

But it comes down most powerfully to what Jesus said in John and also in Matthew 22:36-39, which cites a Pharisee interrogating the Lord and His response: “'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" 

In these passages, He warned against neglecting the commandment of God in favor of upholding the traditions of men.

They are points that we must earnestly -- and perhaps urgently -- remember in this time of preparation. The Lord gave the commandments in relation to entry into the afterlife. "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God," states Corinthians 7:19.

Some have noted that in John, Christ says, "My children, I shall not be with you very much longer" and discusses the true peace that He gives (as opposed to the peace of the world). "Peace is what I leave with you; it is My own peace that I give you." “The start of the discourse begins: 'My little children, I shall not be with you much longer' (John 13 :33)," notes one observer. "In fact, the whole of the discourse can be viewed as a summary of all that Our Lady has been teaching us these past 31 years." Indeed, His way of addressing the disciples (My children) is similar to how Mary has almost always begun those monthly missives (Dear children).

Other of His commandments are scattered throughout the New Testament, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and include humility, forgiveness, turning the other cheek, helping the poor, purity of heart, forsaking anger, and importantly, remaining away from the seduction of wealth -- things many who call themselves Christian but have fallen into the trap of worldliness often forget.

In this time of preparation, it is crucial that we all reconsider our lives in the Light of His commandments -- plus those given in the Old Testament.

Let us also note 1 Timothy 6:

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

"But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness." 

[resources: Tower of Light and Queen of peace DVD] 

[also: Michael Brown pilgrimage, Medjugorje]

[see also: The Pope's Christmas message ties into May's appearance and Marija comments on unusual words from Jesus]

[Photo at top courtesy of Robert Falcetti]

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