THE DRAWBRIDGE
THE THIRD ROSE OF TEARS
Photo by Magda Smolen on Unsplash
THE THIRD ROSE OF TEARS
At the first hour of our Lord’s suffering on the Cross, a rose of tears fell from heaven; the second hour, another rose, one of sorrow fell from above; at three o’clock at the end of the third hour, the third rose fell, saturated with our Lord’s Precious Drops of Blood: compassionate roses, the blessed three, illuminating over the world at our Lord’s last breath. For it is the magnitude of the third rose which has consumed the substance of the other two—spiraling inward these tears and sorrow, a transformation, of a flowing presence of our Lord’s Passion: enclosed within its petals, amplified with delicate fragrance. I embrace this blessed rose with great humility and compassion—ingesting this fragrance into my heart and soul. The mist of this rose has captivated my thoughts of our Lord’s agony, sacrifice and endurance in these hours of suffering. They are unimaginable in my mind, but my heart has awakened with deep reverence, unfolding each petal—my teardrops falling upon each one.
O Lord, my sins have been many; my neglect has been much: Your Merciful Heart has condemned none. I walk upon your path, but yet, weak in my efforts. It is the third rose which has drawn me to You, to confront my faults, my transgressions: unfolding each petal to the center, to Your Mercy. This rose of You, is the containment of Your Sacred Heart—the tabernacle of your Presence. I hold You dear to me—clutching this precious vessel.
Empty me Lord, of all things that block my entrance to You; give me strength and growth to excel in Your goodness. Let me not waste time on foolish things; penetrate me with Your awareness; lift me up from this abyss to Your loving Heart; console me, with words of encouragement and wisdom; motivate my prayers into a contrite state of compassion; allow nothing to stand between myself and You; let my weakness fall away. Fill me with grace, for I am in awe of Your greatness—for it is the great LOVE of Yourself, You pour out on all, missing no one: calling, probing, refining.
Oh Lord, I missed not knowing You in my youth—my ears, were closed; my heart, rebellious and unconcerned. Who could help me; who could rescue me? It was You, waiting: waiting on the Cross for the roses to fall. You waited for me, to “smell the roses”; to embrace the third rose—unfurl the petals to the center, finding your Cross imbedded within. The Precious Blood of my Lord has infused the depth of majestic redness into the third rose, and with tenderness, sorrow, and tears has cultivated my heart and soul, into Thy Presence. Amen.
Robert J. Varrick
rjvarrick@gmail.com
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About the Author
Inspirational writings. Open your eyes and see things. Open your heart and feel things. Answering the call.
The Lord calls and waits for the inner-spirit of oneself to respond. It is I, who heard this call through a near-death experience. A journey which has taken me to the light, the way, and the truth—a journey of faith, of the Cross. With the guidance from my spiritual director, and also a small wooden cross I had in my pocket I gave to another person as a compassionate gesture in petition, opens the door to spiritual gifts, and spiritual writing—encounters of spiritual inspirations, reflections and experiences that touch the heart and soul. I have recorded and documented the on-going events in my life as they happened. I have put forth my complete trust in the Lord, and have written the words that come into my heart and soul. These thoughts and actions are not of myself, but inspirations of the Holy Spirit. I have shared my writings with others across the world touching hearts and souls in response to my calling, to glorify the work of the Lord.
My wife and I reside in Connecticut and have a son and daughter and two grandchildren.
rjvarrick@gmail.com
ISAIAH 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord
saying:
“Whom shall I send? Who will be my
messenger?”
I answered, “Here I am, send me.”
