Finding Peace in Unlikely Places
October 16, 2013 A.D.
October 16, 2013 A.D.
The
world speaks of finding peace one way, Our Lady of Medjugorje, the
Queen of Peace has shown us that many times we find peace in other ways,
more sublime...
Last Friday night for prayer group, the Community of
Caritas climbed to the Cross on Penitentiary Mountain, praying the
Stations of the Cross. After closing in prayer, the Community sat on the
steps around the base of the Cross singing song after song until the
sun had set. Little Bishop, the grandson of our founder, fell asleep in
peace and prayer at the base of the Cross. He teaches us all a valuable
lesson: at the foot of the cross is where we find our peace and our
rest.
In the earlier years, A Friend of Medjugorje would often carry his sons up the mountains in Medjugorje for the prayer groups, which often took place after dark. Being young, they would fall asleep and he would carry them back down. But the inconvenience of carrying them and knowing they would fall asleep was superseded by the grace that Our Lady would bless them for being there. With this in the history of our Community, and that which flows into the present, seeing little Bishop here, asleep, one can only think that Heaven smiles seeing this child resting in peace at the foot of the Cross.
In the earlier years, A Friend of Medjugorje would often carry his sons up the mountains in Medjugorje for the prayer groups, which often took place after dark. Being young, they would fall asleep and he would carry them back down. But the inconvenience of carrying them and knowing they would fall asleep was superseded by the grace that Our Lady would bless them for being there. With this in the history of our Community, and that which flows into the present, seeing little Bishop here, asleep, one can only think that Heaven smiles seeing this child resting in peace at the foot of the Cross.
Following is an excerpt from a Caritas Newsletter written to our Field Angels in November, 1995. It shows how many times we find peace in the most unlikely places and ways:
It is interesting to note that Our Lady
said these words the third day of the apparitions. Marija, walking down
the hill, mysteriously was physically pushed to the side and shown by
Our Lady a cross, pointing to it saying, “Peace, peace, peace.” Is
it not strange that the violence of the cross, blood, torn flesh, a
terrible atrocity is shown by Our Lady to represent peace?
“This important lesson teaches many things.
When we struggle and are in the midst of turmoil, it is then that we
turn to prayer the most, seeking peace. And so, it is these struggles
that will give way to peace, just as Jesus’ cross brought us peace.
Strange that, peace can be experienced the greatest in the heart even
when fire surrounds us. One man, who was praying on Apparition Mountain
three years ago, relays:
 |
| medjugorje bosnia herzegovina (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
“I was looking over the village of
Medjugorje toward late afternoon when out of the corner of my eye, I saw
a streak moving silently above the ground. It was low enough that I,
sitting on Apparition Mountain, was higher in altitude. By the time I
focused and realized what it was, it was to my right, stunning, silent,
eerily peaceful. It came from the direction of the cross and was now
turning, disappearing behind Apparition Mountain. As I focused, the
sound hit me. It was a Serbian fighter jet thundering through. Within a
few moments, behind Apparition Mountain, bombs went off. I sat there,
unafraid, on the spot of Our Lady’s podium, where so frequently She’s
called the world to peace. I experienced peace to such a degree it was
as though I was immersed in it. The contrast of both spectrums was to
such a degree that I would never trade the experience for anything.”
”
“Many times we experience the greatest
peace in the midst of trials, suffering, persecution, etc. The contrast
is so vast that it is easily distinguishable. Struggles and conflicts
are sometimes the greatest contributors to peace because they put us on
our knees, and through these strong prayers from the heart, we receive
the grace of peace in our hearts which eventually leads to peace in our
surroundings.”
From the Writing, “Crisis Discipline”
by A Friend of Medjugorje, 2004
by A Friend of Medjugorje, 2004
Copyright SJP Lic. Caritas of Birmingham. Used with permission. All information contained on this site including all text, images, sound tracks, logos, including all matter which may not be viewable to the user, and all matter which, may not be, or is downloadable and/or printable, are protected under international copyright and cannot be used without permission from Caritas of Birmingham, other than non-commercial personal use and/or for positive personal promotional purposes of said material.
http://www.medjugorje.com/copyright.html..
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.