DIVINE INTERVENTION-THE PATH OF LIGHT

Divine Intervention – The Path Of Light

A giver, of a gift in compassion, is the substance and texture the Lord gracefully hears in one’s petition. The gift of my Cross, I gave to Mrs. Auriemma on March 25, 1995 at the UCONN –Virginia game, called upon divine intervention. Putting full faith of compassion on a Cross and giving it to a stranger I never met, has awakened my spiritual call. For this thought of action came from somewhere – and it is beyond me, to think of it by myself. A special something in me, reached inward and gave directive action, through compassionate faith. I put my faith into the meaning of the Cross, that things would be all right. For the power of the Cross is, Divine; – Life over death. Divine power is unlimited. Perfection, a gift from the Lord moved and directed His hand to perform a gift of compassion. For compassion, moved compassion. For the outcome of this special basketball season was justified, and right, and good. For winning was not the message – but putting forth one’s faith on a Cross, how could the outcome not happen? For I continue to replay this gesture in my mind and in my heart, and have concluded, this was a divine action, beyond my control. What I had felt then, and still feel now after so many years, is  this overwhelming compassion, has led me to believe, divine action had taken place, and was truly genuine. For a long time, I had questioned the validity of what happened, and was not one, to claim my gesture was a miracle and of a divine nature. For after the fact, one can easily say “I prayed”, and “I said prayers” and “look what happened”, and seek credit for great things. I can only say to you, the great peace and solitude that continues to fill me since the Virginia game, has given credibility to my convictions.

In a newspaper article about UCONN basketball, the writer pointed out a fact; – “UCONN basketball in Connecticut is like a religion”. This passion, this hold on people’s hearts and minds, is a deception from truth. I was caught up in this passion for many years, March 25, 1995 changed my life.

In a compassionate gesture, a gift of my Cross has given me a gift of spiritual writing, by which the Holy Spirit has inspired my heart, and mind, to write words. These works of words, when I re-read them – are beyond me.

I have shared these writings on the internet, across the world, touching many hearts and souls.  I know this is all special – and what has happened to me, is very special. For these are the types of things that always happen to other people, but this time, the Lord’s doorway opened to me, and I heard, and answered the call. I see this action as divine intervention of great love and compassion, of the Lord’s goodness; to move people’s hearts into action; to compassionate; to show example to others; that faith in a higher power, is the resource of everything. This gesture of the Cross has created gifted moments and unexplainable coincidence, which continue to unfold.

In March of 1999 I call upon the Cross and our Blessed Mother for intercession for an unexpected situation. The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team  was going to The Final Four for the first time ever, being held in St. Petersburg, Florida. I wanted to go, and yet, didn’t have the passion in my heart, like I used to. It was too expensive for my wife and I, so she suggested that if I find someone else to go with, I should go. Without thinking, I asked Rob, a friend from work. The words have fallen out, and now I am now committed. On March 25, I left work and purchased 3 red roses and left them at the Church of the Assumption, at the statue of Our Blessed Mother. This is the fourth anniversary of this compassionate gesture, and is in thanksgiving of my petition of  March 25, 1995. On March 26, Rob and I flew to Florida on this UCONN trip. After checking into our hotel Rob and I picked up our game tickets, and I kept telling Rob, “What are we doing here?” I soon found out!  Rob changed his clothes for the beach, and on Rob’s lower part of his leg, is a large size rose tattoo, with a heart on it with the name Diane. I asked him about it, and he told me it is in memory of his sister, who died of cancer at the age of 26. This is another extraordinary coincidence with a rose. To ask only one person, and have a rose tattoo; is unexplainable. It is then assumed, my presence here at this place and time was required.

It is the semifinal game on March 27, against Ohio State. UCONN is in a tight game, and at half time UCONN leads by one point, 36-35. I took my Cross and Miraculous Metal and held them in my left hand for intercession for the rest of the game. UCONN won 64-50 for its 33rd win of this season.

On March 28, Palm Sunday, I took a taxi to St. Brendan church for Mass.

In this little Irish community I lift up my voice in prayer and thanksgiving in petition to Our Lord, and realize that the coach and navigator of this UCONN team, Jim Calhoun is an Irish Catholic. It should be noted;

St. Brendan was an Irish navigator.

On March 29, the championship game, Duke University is a 10 point favorite to win. When the game started ,once again I took my Cross and Miraculous Medal and held them in my left hand for intercession. During the game, I had whiffs of “the scent of roses”. Right at the end of the game with 5 seconds left, the Duke player with the ball, ran down the court and mysteriously falls down. The ball is loose, and goes into the hands of a UCONN player,  Rashamel Jones, whose number is 3. It is Dukes 2nd lose, in 33 games, its first was on Nov. 28, the 332nd day of the year. UCONN won by 3 points, 77-74, and is now the National Champions, and finished with a season record of 34-2. UCONN became the first school in 33 years to win the national title in its first Final Four appearance. It should be noted; this Duke team is known as the Duke Blue Devils, and on this day, the devils were overpowered, by faith. Duke was ranked number 1 in the nation; UCONN was ranked 3rd. My seat number in section 205, was 3. It also should be noted, Jim Calhoun has an older sister named Rose. I was somewhat happy about the outcome, but that was it. When others partied and celebrated, I was subdued and more in reverence. Somehow, I knew they could win when others were in disbelief. For calling in faith, is the highest degree, believing, believing in something beyond yourself.

Of all these events I write about here, are as they happened, and are not dramatized.

So it is, faith and prayer again has played a part in my journey, and is planted deeper into my heart and soul.

UPDATE

The Cross which I gave to Mrs. Auriemma remains with the Auriemma family and has continued to unfold it’s gifts. SINCE March 25,1995 these gifts are listed below and it is not for me to decide if they are a result of intercessory prayer and this Cross. Let the reader make it’s own judgement.

First coach in women’s basketball history to guide a team to 14 consecutive Final Four appearances.

2010-11 team record winning streak to 90 consecutive games NCAA record which surpassed John Wooden’s UCLA teams 88 game mark.

2016-17 team record winning streak to 111 consecutive games NCAA record.

11  National Championships

23  Final Fours

6   Perfect seasons

59  Conference Championships

16  Times conference Coach of the year

7   Times named WBCA National Coach of the year

9   Times named AP/National Coach of the year

8   Times named Naismith National Coach of the year

Inducted into both Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame

( Springfield, Mass ) and the Women’s Basketball Hall Of Fame

( Knoxville, Tenn. ) in 2006.

Led TEAM USA to the FIBA World Championship in the summer of 2010

To guarantee the US in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Led the US National Team, in the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio being undefeated  both times with eight wins to a gold medal.

In 2024 became the winningest coach in college basketball history, mens and womens, with 1,217 wins.

These UCONN events are mentioned only because of the significance of the rose and threes. I am no longer hostage to UCONN basketball or these type endeavors. One cannot serve two masters. Therefore, my heart is more than ever, set upon for greater and more usefulness gifts of grace and prayer for others, that they may be healed of inflictions, and be gifted in peace, love, and spiritual awareness.

Robert J Varrick

rjvarrick@gmail.com