White Stones

Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.
— Rev 2:17, NRSV

Background

We’ve been giving away white stones (symbollically) for many years. Early on, we recognized that there was a connection between a person’s identity and their journey through this life. Apart from the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the white stone might be the most significant travel aid a person has for the journey to heaven.

The Holy Highway

The Bible tells us there is a holy highway (cf. Is 35:8). Pretty much anybody who is NOT inherently evil can travel the holy highway without ever getting lost. Scripture confirms that even a fool can get on the holy highway and reach his destination.

But how do we know we are on the holy highway?

Milestones

In the old days, St. Dominic and others walked everywhere they went. They traveled by foot, and they traveled light. Since it took such a long time to reach their desination, few could afford to get lost on the way!

Along the more well-traveled paths, pilgrims expected to see large, white stones. These stones were placed on the pathways to confirm where the traveler was and to point travelers in the direction of their destination.

When a traveler found a white stone, he knew he was on the right path.

In His Image

The Bible also confirms that each of us is made in the image and likeness of our Creator (Gn 1:27). We all look a little different, but still, we look like God. It’s an amazing thought.

And that’s at the heart of our apostolate (ministry). We draw people. We draw their pictures. We draw crowds. And we draw people to Jesus Christ.

Caricature Ministry

We draw caricatures in the image and likeness of our Creator. The caricatures are not actually white stones, of course. But they can help the faithful find their special white stones.

Caricature is a likeness that always has some distortion. Sometimes it even has exaggeration. And at times, it can be difficult (if not impossible) to recognize the subject of the caricature.

Life on the holy highway can be like a caricature.

“I don’t really look like that — do I?” the subject asks.

Some reply yes, while others reply no.

The thoughtful subject begins to realize that not everyone sees her as she sees herself.

Help Us Help Others

Yes, we do go out from-time-to-time to draw some caricatures for folks. We visit parishes and local churches. We even go to conferences and other events too. But our time is limited, so mostly we just stick to our work online these days.

We have what we need to do this ministry, but still — we need something from you. Of course, we need your prayers. But also, we need you to tell others about what we’re doing. Help them find us so we can help them find their way onto the Holy Highway.