Learning from Mary through the Rosary
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7, 2019): Acts 1:12-14; LK 1:46-47,48-49,50-51,52-53,54-55; LK 1:26-38
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
This memorial celebrating the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of the Rosary offers us an opportunity to recommit ourselves to praying this extraordinary prayer regularly.
Every time we say a Rosary it gives us a wonderful opportunity to meditate on the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ. Moreover, we show our veneration of Mary, even as we ask her to draw us closer to her Son. The Rosary itself gained popularity throughout the Middle Ages. And, when the Battle of Lepanto was won in the 16th century after the Pope instructed Christians to pray the Rosary, Mary was gratefully honored with this feast day. First, it was celebrated under the title Our Lady of Victory but, in time, became Our Lady of the Rosary.
In Luke’s Gospel story of Mary meeting the angel Gabriel, we hear her offer herself to God – to do and be whatever He wanted. “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Through the use of the Rosary we become more aware of God’s love for her and her love for God. And, knowing that from the cross Christ called on her to welcome us as her children and us to embrace her as our mother, we should joyfully say the rosary with its wealth of wisdom and graces. We can also make an effort to teach our children and grandchildren about our Blessed Mother and how to pray the Rosary so they can develop a warm relationship with her and, especially, her Son.
Suggested missionary action: Let us offer a Rosary today for the Church’s missions. We can also make an effort to say a Rosary every day – or at least a decade or two – to honor our Blessed Mother and pray for our brothers and sisters in need.
