The Five Stones
January 19, 2022
Dear Family of Mary!
As we move into 2022, it is important that we go over the basics again. If we keep our spiritual lives trim and fit, we will be more able to serve Our Lady in her plans. We just talked about the Rosary which is the bedrock of Our Lady's strategy. But she also has given us five basic spiritual practices that keep us in good shape for the battle for souls. These are the 5 stones!
The first reading for Mass today is from Samuel 17. David decides to go up against Goliath, the enemy of his people. Here is what he chose for a weapon: "Then, with staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's bag. With his sling also ready to hand, he approached the Philistine." We know that Goliath ridiculed David, but David "ran quickly toward the battle line in the direction of the Philistine. David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell prostrate on the ground." David won that battle by calling on the Lord, and using the weapon he knew best, a stone and sling.
I think that the stones and sling represent humility and trust. David won by relying on the Lord, and in his humility, using what he knew best to use. We are called to a very daunting battle in our day. The Philistines are huge, rich, powerful and rampant. But we, like David, have only our humility and our trust in God. And so with those two weapons we must advance.
The five stones we have in our shepherd's bag are:
Prayer
Fasting
The Bible
Confession
The Eucharist
With these 5 stones, we are made strong, steady, and full of love and hope. It is good that we examine our lives to be sure that each stone is being used!
Over the next week, I hope to discuss each stone. It is always good to return to the basics!!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
(c)Mary TV 2022
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