The world speaks of finding peace one way, Our Lady of Medjugorje, the Queen of Peace shows us another way…
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 But the inconvenience of carrying them and knowing they would fall asleep was superseded by the grace that Our Lady would bless them for being there.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.
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:
“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.”
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“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
3 thoughts on “Finding Peace in Unlikely Places”
GREAT GOD I BRING YOU PEACE FROM EARTH AND YOU GIVE ME YOUR PEACE IN ORDER TO FORM THE BOND OF PEACE BETWEEN YOU AND THE GENERATION OF MAN. THIS CLOUD RISES AND DESCENDS, DESCENDS AND RISES AND DOES THE OFFICE OF PEACEMAKER BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.
It is true. I experienced something so depressing once, I was in despair. I had been through hours of wringing my hands and a crying jag. It was late in the evening. I did not want to live, I wanted to die, because of the mental pain. At this point I fell to my knees and held up my arms and began to beg God to help me. In just a short time He gave me a vision. He was holding me like I was a small child, with such care. He let me play on His shoulders. He was huge. When it was over, no time noted, I was in complete peace, a calm unbelievable peace had come over me and I was able to crawl into bed and fall asleep. He is there when we need Him.
Indeed, many of my countrymen in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol are experiencing such turmoil now because of the devastating earthquake. May they find peace amidst the ruins, guided and consoled by Our Lady…please pray for my country. Thank you.