Today we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary. But we must right away get the proper perspective when dealing with Mary, the Mother of God. Mary was but a humble maid-servant. She simply did what God asked her to do. It was his extraordinary plan for her to be the mother of his Son; but what make it work was that she emptied herself as completely as she could of her own self and will – so that it could all happen according to God's will and way!
The focus of all God's dealings with Mary was therefore JESUS! The Incarnate Word; the one who would live an amazing life, who would die an ignominious death, and would be rewarded for all his effort in a life of glory that he would share with those who believed in him!
The prayer that God and the Church have given us to meditate - in an organized way - on the entire life of Christ - is the Rosary. It parallels the gospels themselves and is a highly recommended prayer form for Catholics. Both the rosary and the gospels contain the essence of the life of Christ! And now, thanks to Pope John Paul II we have twenty mysteries to consider when praying the rosary. Those having to do with the Incarnation: "The Annunciation" "The Visitation" "The Nativity" "The Presentation" "The Finding of Jesus in the Temple;" those having to do with his life as Light of the World: "The Baptism of Jesus" "The Wedding Feast at Cana" "The Proclamation of the Kingdom" "The Transfiguration" "The Institution of the Eucharist;" those having to do with the Passion: "The Agony in the Garden" "The Scourging at the Pillar" "The Crowning with Thorns" "The Carrying of the Cross" "The Crucifixion;" those having to do with the glorification of Jesus: "The Resurrection" "The Ascension" "The Descent of the Holy Spirit" "The Assumption of Mary" "The Crowning of Mary."
We associate Mary with all of this as one who gave birth to Word Made Flesh; one who lived the life of discipleship along with all the rest during Jesus' public life; one who suffered greatly along with her son during his passion; and one who rejoiced with the disciples and the whole community of believers at his resurrection and as the process of the completion of the Lord's work is carried out in the Church – until the end of time!
We are a part of that final process! We are invited to partake of Christ completely – both now and forever! We are called to invite all others to partake and to become members of Christ's Body – the Church, along with us! We are called to be children of God and children of Mary – when we, like she, put his will and way ahead of our own!
Hail Mary, Hail Full of Grace!
The Lord is truly with you!
And blessed are you among all women!
Amen.
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