MCFARLAND — Many in this country view right as wrong and wrong as right and consider God, religion, and the Bible as obsolete, or worse, hateful.
How should Christians respond when our beliefs and religious freedom are under attack? We must first recognize that we are in a spiritual battle for the salvation of our souls and souls of our loved ones. Next, we need to determine the most effective weapons and strategies for this spiritual warfare.
Rosary is spiritual ‘weapon’
The words of St. Padre Pio address these issues, “The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these times.”
Christ the King Parish in McFarland is responding to this call to arms by hosting its eighth annual Rosary Rallies for Religious Freedom at their outdoor Marian Garden through October 2019.
They are being held in coordination with the Fortnight for Freedom and Religious Freedom Week sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has identified the theme for 2019 as “Strength in Hope”.
Insights from St. Peter
For those Christians who are disheartened by the current state of our country and may find it difficult to gain strength in hope, the Rosary Rally Kick-Off at Christ the King Parish on June 25 referenced some insights from the first letter of the apostle Peter.
He wrote this letter to encourage the Christians of Asia Minor who were living in a very anti-Christian society. The abuse and ridicule they were experiencing threatened to bring even more violent persecution in the future. In God’s great plan, it seems that St. Peter had written this letter also for us at this time in history.
In the blessing (vs. 3-9) early in the letter, St. Peter provides some of the most inspiring words of the New Testament: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .”
We have been given a “living hope” at our Baptism, through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Because Jesus is alive, our hope is alive. St. Peter tells us in verse 23 that “You have been born anew . . . through the living and abiding Word of God”, which has the power to make us capable of being holy, of loving one another, and of enduring sufferings for Christ’s sake.
But to integrate the Word of God into our lives, we must nourish and cultivate our understanding. One way is through meditation on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, which are a summary of the Gospels. At the Rosary Rallies, participants meditate on the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries while praying the Holy Rosary.
Living hope in Christ
St. Peter also says that, despite serious trials, the living hope we have in Christ brings profound joy — a deep joy that comes from already possessing a foretaste of our heavenly inheritance, that is, our salvation.
Jesus said to His disciples, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven” (Luke 6:22-23).
The strength that we receive in hope is manifested in our joy amidst trials. It shows the world that we are disciples of Christ and that His Holy Spirit dwells within us. We give witness to those around us — believers and nonbelievers — that the Gospel gives power and strength to face the challenges and sufferings of the world and to overcome them.
Come join other prayer warriors at the Rosary Rallies for Religious Freedom at the Christ the King outdoor Marian Garden on every Tuesday through October 29, 7 to 8 p.m. before Labor Day and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. after Labor Day. Attend as many rallies as your schedule and circumstances permit.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. If possible, bring a chair. Dress appropriately for the weather. For inclement weather, the Rosary will be prayed in the Christ the King Chapel.
For questions, more information, or to receive a free 2019 Rosary Rally booklet, contact Julie Allington, 715-862-2523 or [email protected]
Julie Allington is a member of Christ the King Parish in McFarland.