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During Memorial Day weekend, I sat in front of my TV, totally captivated by the images on the screen — live chaos on State St. and in the downtown area in Madison.
Our area’s version of the protests following the death of George Floyd had disintegrated into violence, looting, angry shouting, and even a police car set on fire live on TV among other negative pictures.
For those seeking dialogue, attention, and something good out of the day’s events, these actions left sour images in many minds as the week went on.As someone who’s lived in Madison for 15 out of the last 18 years, I watched with concern for my adopted hometown and places I’m fond of visiting. I watched with a sense of the surreal as I tried to accept that what was happening was happening. And, admittedly, I watched with some worry knowing that some friends of mine who I had worked in TV with were right in the middle of it all.
Whatever we were witnessing on the screen, it was real.
As not seen on TV
Fast-forward a couple of months to August 15. The exact same location, but a totally different looking scene.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Blessed Sacrament, was being accompanied down State St. to the State Capitol steps.
Behind him, thousands of people who came out to pray for their home and their country as a whole.
Thousands of people praying with all of their hearts, asking the Lord, and his mother, to intercede for us.
It was a supernatural moment of awe and wonder, but it did not have the extensive coverage that State St.’s previous actions had received.
Now, as someone who used to work in local TV news, I understand why.
Something that is destructive and potentially a threat to the public is going to get a lot more airtime than a peaceful Eucharistic Procession and Rosary Rally.
I’m not here to knock “the media” and the friends I have that still work in it.
I’m here to wish we lived in a world where something as peaceful, holy, and filled with supernatural wonder and awe as what took place at the Unite Wisconsin Rosary Rally called for a live look.
I’m here to wish that the energy and momentum from praying the Rosary and Adoring the Lord would sweep up all those who witness it and would go on for days in the public square.
What Catholic wouldn’t want to see someone carrying, or even joyfully running with, a statue of Mary down the street versus seeing a dumpster on fire pushed down the street (oh, what a metaphor for 2020).
A world of real peace and love
For those who served as the peaceful witnesses on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, I’m glad to give you a little more real estate in this issue of the paper.
For those who may be reading this and were part of the State St. crowds earlier this summer, I haven’t forgotten about you either.
I have faith that a good number of you are seeking real good and justice, and I wish the bad apples hadn’t hijacked your message.
We’ve dealt with a few bad apples in the Church, ourselves, but our goals and messages are still clear — love God and love thy neighbor.
I hope those who were on the outside and looking in at the recent Rosary Rally can see it as the example of peace it truly was — giving honor and praise to God.
I also hope that those who participated in the rally are ready, willing, and able to share that peace with others.
I hope in some way, everyone who has been on State St. these past few months, for various motives and purposes, can meet everyone where they’re at and determine the most peaceful goals to all of this.
If it requires some sacrifice, so be it, but it will definitely require love.