Today, Catholics all over the world commemorate the last day of Apparitions of our Blessed Mother Mary to the three kids in Fatima, Portugal. The light of Christ that shines through Mother Mary and continues to shine echoes the spiritual battle that started in heaven between Archangel Michael and lucifer. To meditate on this battle, I suggest a short and beautiful story.
The Caged Bird and the
Shadow.
In a quaint village
nestled between two mountains, there was a legend about a golden bird named
Lumina and a shadowy creature named Obscura. Lumina sang melodies that could
heal the sick, mend broken hearts, and bring joy to anyone who heard its song.
Its golden feathers shimmered in the sunlight, representing the light of truth
and the warmth of love.
But Obscura, a creature
birthed from doubt and fear, hated Lumina's song. Every time Lumina sang,
Obscura would try to drown out the melody with its shrill screams, casting
shadows over the village. Obscura wanted the villagers to forget the light and
live in a world of confusion and despair.
One day, using deceit,
Obscura managed to trap Lumina in a cage, preventing it from flying or singing
freely. With Lumina caged, the village was shrouded in darkness, and despair
spread among the villagers.
Yet, even from within the
cage, Lumina continued to shine and sing softly. A young girl named Mira,
feeling the faint light of hope, approached the cage. Drawn to Lumina's
perseverance, she realized the importance of the spiritual battle at hand. She
saw that while Lumina was caged physically, its spirit remained unbroken.
Mira rallied the
villagers, reminding them of the power of faith, hope, and love. United in
prayer and determination, their collective faith created a force that broke the
cage, freeing Lumina. The golden bird soared high, its song more potent than
ever, dispelling Obscura's darkness.
The village was once
again bathed in light, and the people learned an invaluable lesson. The battle
between light and darkness is ever-present, but with faith and unity, light
will always prevail.
This story mirrors the
spiritual battles we face. Just as Lumina represents the light of truth and
love (akin to the Kingdom of God), Obscura signifies the forces that aim to
overshadow and suppress that light. Through perseverance, faith, and collective
action, we can overcome the shadows and let the light shine.
Light from Fatima: October
13th commemoration:
In 1917, Our Lady of
Fatima appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal, revealing urgent
messages for the world. Much like Lumina's song in our story, the messages from
Fatima are a source of light, hope, and guidance. One of the central themes
of Fatima is the call to prayer, particularly the Rosary, and penance for the
conversion of sinners and for peace in the world.
Obscura's attempts to
drown out Lumina's song and cast shadows over the village parallel the
pervasive forces of darkness in our world that spread doubt, fear, and
conflict. Our Lady warned of the consequences of humanity's disobedience to
God, much like the darkness that enveloped the village when Lumina was caged.
She spoke of wars, suffering, and the persecution of the Church if humanity did
not convert and heed her calls.
However, just as Mira
rallied the villagers to unite in faith and action, Our Lady of Fatima
emphasizes the power of collective prayer and sacrifice. She promised that,
through devotion to her Immaculate Heart and by praying the Rosary daily, we
can bring about peace and the conversion of hearts. This collective effort
is crucial in combating the spiritual battles we face, as seen in both the
story and the Fatima messages.
By connecting the story
to Fatima, we're reminded of the significance of our individual and collective
efforts. Our prayers, sacrifices, and good works are not just personal acts;
they contribute to a larger spiritual battle. Our Lady's call at Fatima urges
us to recognize the power of darkness disseminating terror worldwide but, more
importantly, the even greater power of united hearts devoted to prayer and good
works in dispelling that darkness.
Drawing these
connections, we can better appreciate the timeless relevance of the Fatima
messages and their alignment with the universal theme of light versus darkness.
Happy feast of
commemoration of last message of Our Lady of Fatima and miracle of the sun!
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