THE DELICATE ROSE

THE DELICATE ROSE 

Amongst the flowers in the field, there is one, that stands above all others: the ROSE—with a fragrant aroma of love—beckons the heart to melt; this delicate face of petals is a flower of great compassion and healing. Its gifts, of hope to the heart and peace to the soul, are a spiritual mentor. Its gifts are given with great reverence and purpose, and its memory lasts, long after the fragrance has faded. 

And it is here, I speak to you about the delicate ROSE on my journey. This “scent of roses” which I have experienced for the last two years, seems to be fading. This gift has brought me to different levels and plateaus, changing and challenging my heart. It has apparently been given as a spiritual intercessor, to view the depth of my own soul. 

Gifts are given, but not taken away. The delicate balance of need is an indicator, of the length of the gift. They are for us to grow and prosper in our spiritual life. When the need lessens, this gift is given elsewhere. For on my own journey, this delicate ROSE has inspired, and given me opportunities of unexplainable coincidences, encountering roses and things which I cannot explain. 
The ROSE has led me in a definite direction—providing truth and purification to my soul, gaining wisdom, and understanding the depth of Our Lord’s Passion and the sorrow of Our Blessed Mother. 

And it should be noted, that per the July 21, 1999, press release from Rome, the Shroud of Turin, which is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus, has been reanalyzed; and the analysis of pollen and plants embedded in the Shroud of Turin adds more proof that the Relic originated in the Holy Land. According to the latest research at the Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, the Shroud contains very soft residues of plants identified as: Zygophyllum (Dumosum) which grows only in Israel, Jordan and the Sinai; Gundelia tournefortii, which it is thought was used for Jesus’ crown of thorns; and Rock Rose (cistus creticus). Just a coincidence, of a “rose”? 

Of all my writings and the words I have written, none other than what I am about to tell you, has greater importance. I have come to one basic finding, and that is this: we ALL have encountered the Delicate ROSE. You may not be aware of the significance but you will find it in Our Creed: “On the third day He rose again.” This, my friends, is the “ROSE” of our salvation. For us, to rise again, for eternity, Our Lord overcame death for all mankind, that we, may live. This important fact, is the basis of our faith—this is the DELICATE ROSE: a journey of our heart and soul continuing upward into the Lord’s Sacred Heart and embrace. And our Blessed Mother leads us with a softness of heart, fragrant as a rose, as an intercessor, to help comprehend the depth of Our Lord’s love and mercy. 

I tell you, if you cannot see the beauty in the face of a flower, the fragrance of your heart will allude you. You may speak words from your mouth, reciting prayers and petitions; however, the heart that expresses love, like each petal of a flower, gives fragrance to each word in a prayer. A heart must be totally reverent to be melted and molded into a delicate awareness; if you lit a candle and watched its flickering flame wisp in the silence—hearing the wisping of its flame, was delicate awareness. This, is where the sensitivity, of your heart should be. 

And I ask this question, why is it quieter in a library than at Mass? I say to you, when you come to Mass and enter the pew, quiet yourself first. Come to be in the presence of the Lord; then, pray your prayer. When you observe other people, you will see them in prayer of distraction, looking all around, acknowledging a friend—a truly disobedience of their surroundings. How can you meet with the Lord, when you are with someone else or your mind is elsewhere? When you come to Mass, let all be quiet. Close your mouth, and open your heart. Let your heart prepare and understand what is about to take place—the Delicate ROSE comes to you in the Eucharist: Our Lord’s Body and Blood, again being raised up for each of us. In these precious moments, Our Lord’s presence is here, before you. The Delicate ROSE waits for your heart. Are you in a delicate awareness, to receive Him? Do you meditate in your heart the pain, the suffering, and anguish, Our Lord went through for you? Do you meditate on Our Lord’s sorrow? Do Our Blessed Mother’s tears of anguish, wash over your heart? Do you feel the weight of the Cross? Are you repentant? Are you in peace? Are you thankful for the gifts, the Lord has given you? Does your heart speak in a whisper of humility? Do you embrace Our Lord’s merciful Heart? Do you carry Jesus, home with you? In your nighttime prayers, do you pray with Jesus in the garden? These ingredients of delicate awareness create a flowing fountain of Our Lord’s presence, from your heart, to your soul. Open your door, pour in this delicate awareness and seep in the delicate ROSE. 

Come softly to me, and fill me, with Your Divine grace of compassion, mercy, forgiveness, peace and love. Strengthen me, in all Your virtues; instruct me, with Your guidance; open Your wisdom onto me; help me to discern my actions. Oh, come softly to me, my Delicate ROSE, for I thirst and hunger for my Lord, my God. Remember me, when I come into Your Kingdom, for I called Your Name, and heard Your Voice, and I followed. 

Raise me up to be with Thee in heaven, for I bring the cross I carry of my heart and soul filled with all my fragrant desire of love, for You. Receive my journey as a testimony, with those souls I touched along the way on my path. I give You, the rose of my soul, to plant into Your Most Sacred Heart. Oh my Delicate ROSE, I come to You, softly, into Thy peace.  

Robert J. Varrick

rjvarrick@gmail.com