The five stones of Međugorje
"David took five smooth stones from the stream... and brought down the giant." (cf. 1 Samuel 17)
Just as the young David defeated the giant Goliath with only five smooth stones and the strength of God, the Virgin Mary, in her call to peace and conversion, puts us in the hand cinco «piedras» simple to overcome the giant of evil, fear and sadness in our life. They are not five complicated ideas: they are five old and sure ways that the Church has always loved. Take them with confidence.
1. The prayer of the heart - and above all, the Rosary
The first stone is pray every day, but pray with the heartNot in a hurry, not with your lips alone. The Mother especially asks for the Holy Rosary: to take account and, ten to ten, to walk with her for the life of Jesus. It is the weapon of the humble and the sweet chain that unites us to heaven. Start praying here the Rosary →
2. The Eucharist - the Holy Mass in the center
The second stone is put Mass in the center of the week and of life. In the Eucharist we do not receive an idea or a memory: we receive Jesus alive. He who comes with faith to communicate carries within him the same God that Mary carried in her womb. Everything else - the Rosary, fasting - prepares us and leads us to this meeting.
3. Holy Scripture - the Bible at home
The third stone is read the Word of God. La Virgen invita a tener la Biblia en un lugar visible del hogar y a leer cada día un poco, aunque sea unas líneas, dejando que esa Palabra alumbre el día. María es la primera que «guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en su corazón» (Lc 2,19): leer la Escritura es aprender de ella a escuchar a Dios.
4. The fasting - Wednesday and Friday
The fourth stone is the Fastwhich the Mother asks in a simple way: to bread and water Wednesday and Fridayaccording to the strength and health of each. Fasting is not to be punished: it is to make room for God, to dominate whims, to join those who go hungry and to put the body at the service of the spirit. What is saved can become alms.
5. Confession - a clean heart every month
The fifth stone is the Common confessionat least once a month. It is the Father's embrace that forgives and gives us back peace and joy. The Virgin insists a lot on this stone: a reconciled heart is a heart in peace, and only one who has peace can give it to others.
Five stones, one sling: love. You don't have to have them all perfect from day one. Start with one - the Rosary - and let the Mother give you the rest. With them, no giant can do it with you.
Note: these five practices, associated with the Međugorje messages, are spiritual means that the Catholic Church has always recommended. On Međugorje, the Holy See granted a «nihil obstat» who authorizes devotion to Mary Queen of Peace, without deciding on the authenticity of the apparitions.