Today is National Star Wars Day and many of the film’s fans will be offering the movie’s famous greeting, “May the force be with you,” or its pun for the day, “May the fourth be with you.” Judging by world conditions and the strife that abounds both at home and abroad, we could use some force and power to bring relief, order, and justice to our beleaguered globe.

But, the force of Star Wars isn’t going to do it. Nor is the force of men. International relations are fragile and strained at this time. There is no need to catalog the existing dangers that threaten international security and peace. The headlines carry the weight of them each day. And we’ve all watched the failed attempts of sanctions, treaties, and threats. But, there is a way for peace to triumph, in fact, a foolproof plan has already been given.

National Star Wars Day shares its honorary date with another day of celebration. Today is also the National Day of Prayer and it is here that we find the means by which evil can be squelched and good can reign.

As Christians, we know that true power resides with the Triune God and comes to man through the salvific act of His Son, Jesus Christ. Conformity to God’s will is the key and He desires His people beseech His help and cooperate with it.

Consider the passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14. It is one of several Scripture passages that give God’s directive; “… and if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.”

Note that the Chronicle’s quote is specific about those who are to pray – they are God’s people “upon whom His name has been pronounced.” It is the duty and divine obligation of every baptized Christian to be at the forefront of intercession and prayer. That’s you and me. Assuming that we are willing to do it, the question is how do we do it?

Fortunately, Heaven has already given us the answer. It came to us by way of our Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917 through the messages she entrusted to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. In that year World War I was ending but the Bolshevik Revolution was beginning. This revolution in Russia would usher in atheistic communism, legalized abortion, divorce for any reason, and persecution of the Church.

Our Lady told the children to pray the Rosary every day for peace and to stay the errors that would come by means of this Revolution. Otherwise, the errors would spread throughout the world and entire countries would be no more. The children heeded Our Lady’s message with great generosity but for the most part, Our Lady’s request fell on deaf ears.

History tells the rest of the story. The Red March wiped out countries and nations and sowed the seeds of atheistic communism throughout the world including the West. In fact, evidence suggests we are living in a type of “cultural communism” even now by way of secularism, relativism, utilitarianism, and materialism.

On May 13th, Catholics celebrate the anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Heaven is once again giving us the opportunity to humble ourselves and to pray seeking God’s presence. Heaven desires to hear our supplications, pardon our sins, and heal our land.

The Mother of God and Mother of all peoples came to the world through her apparitions to the shepherd children. She continues to remind the people of the world that the message is the same: That peace, hope, and solidarity is possible through Heaven’s plan. The fundamental question is will we say “yes” to it?

What comprises Heaven’s plan for peace? It is basically five-fold:

• Prayer
• Reparation
• Daily recitation of the Rosary
• Devotion to the Five First Saturdays
• Consecration to the Immaculate Heart (For this I recommend the de Montfort consecration outlined in True Devotion to Mary, by St. Louis de Montfort.)

My prayer is that we will be receptive to the message of Our Lady of Fatima even more this year. Rather than the Star Wars cry of “May the force be with you” may our cry be “May the peace and power of God be yours!”

-Johnnette

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