The large oval Roman amphitheater, known as the Coliseum, was built by Emperor Vespasian around the year 70 A.D.

The Emperor Domitian concluded it in 82 A.D. Their stands were able to accommodate eighty thousand people. The seats were made of marble, and to avoid problems during the events exits, the architects designed eighty staircases.

Thus, in less than three minutes the Coliseum could be completely evacuated. For the occasion of its inauguration, the festivities and games lasted one hundred days.

During this period, nine thousand animals and two thousand gladiators were killed. Over the years, it also served as stage for the representation of tragedies and comedies. Even simulations of naval battles were carried out.

It was also where many Christians lost their lives as they were thrown to wild beasts. These bloody spectacles of sad memory were watched in almost delirium.

Today, the ruins still carry a mysterious flair as the symbol of the Roman Empire and the eternal city. Interestingly, the same place where the Christians entered singing hymns of praise in the path to martyrdom, other hymns of praise rise up once in a while.

So it was during the presentation of the quartet Il Divo that with anointing and excitement played Amazing Grace.

This song has much meaning, since it was composed by John Newton, after what is considered his conversion.

Newton was a slave trader in Africa. During one of his trips, his ship was strongly affected by a storm.

Fighting the storm, he felt how everyone was on the ship: fragile and helpless, and concluded that only the grace of God could save them.

Stimulated by this event and subsequent thoughts gathered from the book Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, he decided to abandon the slave trade and became a Christian.

And then he wrote the song Amazing Grace, whose verses read as follow:

Amazing grace!

 How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found.

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear. And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come.

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far...

And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we'd first begun.

*   *   *

While the voices are raised to heaven, let us remember that someone once said that plowing is praying.

And on our part, we say: to sing this hymn is a true prayer of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of life.

Imagine how many blessings that immense audience has achieved, involved in the harmony of sounds and beauty of the verses.

Amazing grace...

Music renewing the psychosphere of bloody days. Prayers to the Lord of life for life itself. Gratitude.

Spiritist Moment Team.
July 19.2012.