# Consecration of the human race
*2019-07-21*

> Bill Young reflects on the signs of the times and the urgent need for peace, leading a prayer of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

## Signs of the Times

In looking at the news, it is easy to feel a sense of gloom, but we cannot hide our heads in the sand. While Jesus told us that no one knows the exact time or minute of His return, He did give us signs to look for. We see these signs in the earthquakes, fires, and floods occurring around the world. Furthermore, we must pray fervently for peace, especially with the tensions in Iran and the threat of nuclear armament.

## The Call to be Prepared

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Safety, a title associated with Holland during World War II. We all need Our Lady of Safety in these times. We are reminded by the Lord that we will be going about our daily lives—weddings and ordinary events—when the end comes, but we must be prepared. I often ask myself: if today were my last day, how would I prepare? Prayer and knowledge are essential. I have been studying Father Michael Gaitley's DVD series and look forward to diving deeper into the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

## Consecration to the Sacred Heart

In these desperate times, we need desperate prayers. I offer the Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, asking the Redeemer to look down upon us. We pray for those who do not know Him, those who have rejected His precepts, and the prodigal children who have abandoned Him. We ask that the Lord be King not only for the faithful but for those deceived by erroneous opinions, calling them back to the harbor of truth so that we may be one flock under one shepherd.

## The Weapon of Prayer

St. Padre Pio stated that prayer is the best weapon we have and the key to God's heart. He taught that we must speak to Jesus not only with our lips but with our hearts, and that on certain occasions, we should speak to Him only in our hearts. This is why I spend the majority of my time in interior conversation with the Lord. We must continue spreading the Gospel to the entire world—from Vietnam and the Middle East to China, Russia, and Europe.

## The Joyful Mysteries

To conclude, we pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, focusing on the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Jesus, the Presentation, and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Through these mysteries, we meditate on humility, love of neighbor, poverty of spirit, obedience, and the joy of finding Jesus.

*Prayer is the best weapon we have and the key to God's heart; we must speak to Him not only with our lips, but with our hearts.*