January 29, 2014 A.D.

Connectivity is what is said of modern technological advances, of globalization, of the internet etc… but are we really connecting with one another?


The Church speaks, the first day:

On January 23, 2014, Pope Francis spoke about modern communication and connectivity stating from Rome:
 

“The speed with which information is communicated exceeds our capacity for reflection and judgment…” He continued, “The desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbors, from those closest to us…”¹

Nature speaks to modern man, the second day:

Twenty-four hours later, on January 24, 2014 in a Field in Alabama, heads of households and single consecrated of the Community of Caritas were gathered silently together in the Field of Apparitions for their daily 5:00 A.M. prayer. Suddenly blankets were heard shuffling and excited whispers were heard, “Look at that!” A large star had appeared in the early morning sky - a star which had never been seen before, whose size and radiance pierced the sky as it rose near the Cross on Penitentiary Mountain. The excitement by all was tangible as community members tapped each other, poking one another with Rosaries or fingers as together in silence, hearts pondered the wonder before them.

 

Revelation Chapter 12:1, “A great sign appeared in the sky…”

Our Lady, the Great Sign, said on January 25, 1987:
 

“…Behold, also today I want to call you to start living a new life as of today. Dear children, I want you to comprehend that God has chosen each one of you, in order to use you in a great plan for the salvation of mankind. You are not able to comprehend how great your role is in God’s design. Therefore, dear children, pray so that in prayer you may be able to comprehend what God’s plan is in your regard…”

Reflecting on the Community of Caritas’ daily life, A Friend of Medjugorje prophetically wrote this statement years ago, which seems to have been written for just this moment of wonder:

“Nature speaks and, in the silence of the darkness, we seek that light which the Cross leads us, by way of the difficulty of going to 5:00 A.M. prayer every day, year after year.”²

Heaven speaks to the world, the third day:

January 25, 2014, Our Lady in Her monthly message to the world, given, twenty-four hours after the “radiant light” appeared in the morning sky to people praying in a Field said:

“… Pray, pray, pray for the radiance of your prayer to have an influence on those whom you meet…”

Radiance - brightness shooting in rays or beams; vivid brightness *
Radiant - beaming with brightness; emitting a vivid light or splendor *

The visionaries of Medjugorje were taught by Our Lady through their prayer group that one will be connected more closely with another, know someone more intimately, through praying together, than by talking together.

Every morning the heads of households and single consecrated of the Community of Caritas meet as community, as family, united for an hour of silent prayer, sitting side by side in nature, connected to God and one other. The mission of Caritas of Birmingham, the mission of the Community of Caritas is to give witness to Our Lady’s words and through our life influence others. It is through five A.M. prayer we understand as individuals our role in God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. Through this silent prayer, we are connected as a people. We are united: one mind, one heart, one mission seeking God’s will. Five A.M. prayer is what connects us as a people, not our conversation, not our opinions, not through a cell phone, computer or the internet, but prayer. We are together in silent reflection, seeking not our own wishes for our day, but altogether seeking God’s will and our role in His plan for the salvation of mankind.

The Great Sign, Our Lady, comes to tell you of your role in this great plan for the salvation of mankind which can only be realized through prayer. Prayer is the most important tool of connectivity man has. Make prayer your first connection, reflecting on God’s desires for you so that you experience “the radiance of prayer” in your own life and that your prayers then “have an influence on those whom you meet.” Our Lady said, here in the Bedroom of Apparitions, 25 years ago:

November 25, 1988

“Dear children, I call you to prayer for you to have an encounter with God in prayer. God gives Himself to you, but He wants you to answer in your own freedom to His invitation. That is why, little children, during the day find yourselves a special time when you can pray in peace and humility and have this meeting with God, the Creator. I am with you and I intercede for you in front of God. Watch in vigil so that every encounter in prayer be the joy of your contact with God. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Five A.M. prayer was one of the first steps Our Lady guided our founder in establishing the community. From this prayer, everything else in the Caritas mission and Community evolved.

Wishing You the Radiance of Our Lady,

Medjugorje.com
Caritas of Birmingham
Operated by The Community of Caritas

Footnotes:
1. Vatican Information Service, Pope Francis, January 23, 2014
2.  As Go God's People So Goes the World, A Friend of Medjugorje
* Websters Dictionary of the English Language 1828 Edition

If you feel our efforts are worthy of your support, would you consider making a tax-deductible gift to help us continue? Click here to donate.