“Wet the Ropes”
By Jasper
In 1585, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome was undergoing a major overhaul due to its deterioration and neglect. Rats were nesting in the rotten wooden beams and its superstructure. Pope Sixtus V, the Bishop of Rome, initiated the renovation and completion of St. Peter’s dome as well as the relocation of the Vatican Obelisk from the side of the Church to the front of the Basilica.
A young architect, Domenico Fontana, won the bid from approximately 500 architects who applied to move the 330-ton obelisk about 300 yards to the Piazza. Moving the obelisk was a great undertaking of utilizing over 40,000 pounds of hemp ropes, iron rods, and the construction of a wooden tower to lower and then raise the obelisk to its new foundation. It would take five months for the plan to be implemented with over 900 men and 72 horses to move the obelisk from vertical to horizontal to its final vertical position. Large crowds gathered in awe in the public square to experience this technological phenomenon of transformation and change.
The story unfolds stating that Fontana threatened the crowd that they would go to the gallows if they made any noise during the last stage of erecting the obelisk. Fontana desired complete silence to not disturb the workers. He only allowed the sound of a trumpet to start the movement of the monument and the ring of a bell to end it. As the obelisk begins to rise, the tension and strain on the ropes started twisting and burning and appearing to fail. A young person, in fear and facing death, spoke up and yelled, “Wet the Ropes”. The quick actions steadied the process and the obelisk was successfully erected.
Our society is going through a time of transformation and change. Many "architects" are trying to redesign and implement great changes in the pillars of our society. Our U.S. Constitution, election processes, courts, schools, government, military, police forces, economy, and churches are being pulled down and raised through the ropes of social media, towers of technology, and powerful voices. Many of these architects demand and expect silence from America’s “silent majority”.
These architects speak from a position of knowledge.
It is in this critical time of American life and history that we need people to be courageous and bold enough to speak up from a place of wisdom. Our systems of economics, law, and order, government, education, family, and faith are at their breaking points. Our Nation needs voices filled with hope, faith, and love. Our Nation needs voices who do not condemn what is wrong but proclaim what can be right. They are the unspoken voices who speak sensible solutions overflowing with wisdom.
Wisdom is the cup of knowledge that is stirred with experience and insight. A wise person understands how to apply knowledge in its proper way and process. Wisdom ushers in peace, unity, and purpose. Wisdom applies good judgment promptly. Wisdom does not embrace change for the sake of change. Wisdom speaks for purposeful improvement for the common good of people and prosperity for all. The wise person is willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of others and our Country.
These wise souls are born from every race, gender, culture, and socio-economic background. They might be ridiculed, persecuted, and even facing threats of death. But we need to hear these voices of wisdom. They speak not for political or personal power, prestige, or personal financial gain. They speak about constructive and compassionate solutions. They speak from their heart than a teleprompter or Gallup polling.
Are you that person? The person who needs to speak up so the obelisk in your life does not come crashing down and destroyed into pieces? Are you the one who needs to speak up at the next school board meeting or town hall? Are you the one who needs to say something through social media, the halls of Congress, the courtroom, the classroom, or the community center?
In reality, we all need to seek wisdom and embrace a calm spirit. Some improvements need to take place in every corner of our personal lives and society as a whole. And the path to guide us to a better place and time for our Country is marked by wisdom and not violence.
It is not marked by anger, but by understanding, and active listening.
You can be that person. Your voice of wisdom needs to be heard. Speak up for the benefit of all of us and the sake of our Country.
Wet the ropes!
God bless America and God bless you and your loved ones.
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