Sunday, October 23, 2011

Moving testimonial from rosary rally captain -- “when someone does something nice for your mother, you have a soft spot for that person…”

Hi, I thought your readers would enjoy this commentary on the recent Rosary Rallies.  God bless you and your families.  Thanks Tom

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On Saturday, Oct 15, I had the privilege to participate in a public Rosary at the pool park on Euclid Ave. in Willoughby.  Those who gathered which was mostly family and some members of the Legion of Mary weathered the wind and chilly air to recite a Rosary for our nation and its deeper connection to God. 

Our banner was taped to a wood fence so that people passing by understood what this effort meant.  This public prayer service was part of a national effort that day where over 7,515 such rallies were held around noon throughout the country.  The program was coordinated through an organization called American needs Fatima which tries to strengthen our nation through prayer and peaceful protest, www.ANF.org.

I’m sure there were probably many people curious why we sere standing out in the cold praying through the Blessed Mother for our nation’s health instead of just gathering together in a warm Church or house.  Others to include Christians may have been questioning why such attention is given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, through a Rosary prayer.  Both questions deserve a simple thought provoking response.

The beauty of public prayer is that those who drive or pass by will have their thoughts temporarily interrupted to register their observance of people reaching out to God.  Their minds may feel a sense of appreciation for what the participants are doing, or they may have little interest and return to their earlier thoughts, or they may begin to wonder about other spiritual matters important to them. 

But what is nearly assured is that if even for the briefest of moments, they will think about God and prayer and that is a wonderful thing because these thoughts are like tiny seeds which may later grow into strong Oaks of faith.  From these trees may grow other trees which spread throughout our country and help usher in an era of honor and respect towards God and a spiritual revival which we are so in need of right now.

For those who wonder why some Christians give such attention to Our Savior’s mother, it is best to put it into a personal context.  When someone does something nice, no matter how big or small, for your mother, it is likely that you will always have a soft spot in your heart for that person.  You may also find yourself more forgiving of that person because they demonstrated a capacity for love toward one that you hold dearly.  I am confident that Jesus feels exactly the same way.  When we pray the Holy Rosary, we are exhibiting love toward his beloved Mother who stood by him while he suffered on the Cross for us.  By doing something nice towards Mary, we are warming the Sacred Heart of the One who brings us salvation.  What a special opportunity.

Public prayer and the Rosary are wonderful experiences and I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to do both.
Tom W. (Rally Captain)

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