Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Scripture:
Galatians 3:1-5
Luke 11:5-13
Reflection:
In 1571, all Europe trembled as the Sultan prepared a mighty naval armada for a strong assault on the West. Pope St. Pius V asked Christians to pray the rosary and on October 7th the Pope was given sight of the victory of Don John of Austria and the Christian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto.
In our day Pope John Paul II renewed the plea for Catholics across the world to pray the Rosary. We know that prayer is not simply a repetition of Our Fathers and Hail Marys. It is meant to allow us to view the wonderful works of Christ through the eyes and heart of Mary, his Mother.
Pope John Paul gave us the Mysteries of Light – Five incidents in the life of Christ that have an uplifting meaning for us today.
We reflect on these grace-filled actions of Jesus and find their impact on our life today. The mysteries we are invited to contemplate are: (1) The Miracle at the Wedding Feat at Cana. The Jesus who supplied the best wine for the newly-weds is interested in all our needs and desires we can ask him through Mary. (2.) Jesus is baptized in the Jordan. He is sinless but embraces us with our sins. Our baptism has power from his. (3) Jesus teaches and preaches, he has words of eternal life only if we listen. (4) Jesus is Transfigured. Yes, he is our brother, but he is also Son of God in our flesh, there is no limit to his power and he uses that power to give us a share in his glory. That is our call, our meaning. (5) The Eucharist, "Jesus having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to he end." In flesh and blood, divinity and humanity he pours out his love and life for us. As we reflect on this mystery we can renew our thanks for our every Communion.
Mary’s chain of prayer brings us deeply into the love and life of Jesus.
Fr. Fred Sucher, C.P. is retired and lives in the Passionist community in Chicago. For many years he taught philosophy to Passionist seminarians.