Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Glorious Mysteries
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary
Wednesday is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the gospel. The main focus is on Jesus—his birth, life, death and resurrection. When we say the Our Father it reminds us that Jesus' Father is the initiator of salvation.
Each time we say the Hail Mary we join with Mary in contemplating these mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was and is intimately joined with her Son in all the mysteries of his earthly and heavenly existence.
The “Glory Be” prayers remind us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Trinity.
Simple and powerful. Why not give it a try today?
Each time we say the Hail Mary we join with Mary in contemplating these mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was and is intimately joined with her Son in all the mysteries of his earthly and heavenly existence.
The “Glory Be” prayers remind us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Trinity.
Simple and powerful. Why not give it a try today?
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Sometimes when we read Holy Scripture we get a glimpse of how really ridiculous our behavior must appear in God's eyes. Take for instance the First Reading and how Jonah is all bent out of shape over everything.
It’s the same with us. Sometimes there isn't anything we can't find a reason to grumble or complain about. And, if we aren't complaining then usually there are enough others around us to make up for it.
God gives Jonah, and indeed all of us a reality check and reminds us that there are more important things at stake than our own agenda. Namely, there's a world out there in need of salvation.
Sometimes when things aren't going our own way, or are just plain difficult, we wonder how to pray. Christ was always teaching by His own example. The apostles went to Him as He came from praying and asked Him how they were to pray.
Often in the Gospels we hear that Christ was seeking a place to pray, or had just come from prayer. Lesson #1 for us: pray, and pray often.
The Gospel goes on to reveal what a wonderful opportunity we have with the prayer Christ Himself taught us—the "Our Father." It is a beautiful prayer that is powerful, especially when said slowly and with thought. It is a good source for meditation, even over just one word -- such as the word "Our" at the beginning. For instance: we can reflect how everyone can call God Father, which means we are ALL brothers and sisters! So why are there wars and why are so many children starving, and why are we killing so many of our brothers and sisters in the womb before we even get a chance to meet them?
Today might be a good time to ask ourselves the question "How often am I saying this beautiful prayer, taught to us by Christ Himself, and do I pray it in a slow, thoughtful and meaningful manner?
Our Father
Who art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name!
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
On Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread.
Forgive us OUR trespasses
As WE forgive THOSE who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
There's a world out there in need of salvation. May God give us the grace to do our part, to accept His grace and put it into action.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
On Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread.
Forgive us OUR trespasses
As WE forgive THOSE who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
There's a world out there in need of salvation. May God give us the grace to do our part, to accept His grace and put it into action.
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