Jesus Entered

October 7, 2008

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

(God), who from my mother's womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles. Galatians 1:15-16

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41-42

Piety

Lord, fill our hearts with your love,
and as you revealed to us by an angel the coming of your Son as man,
so lead us through his suffering and death to the glory of his resurrection,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(http://www.wf-f.org/OurLadyRosary.html)

Study

When Jesus enters our lives, things change. See what happened to Paul. See how Mary and Martha were forced to choose the better part. And see what happened to Our Lady of the Rosary after she prayed, “I am the handmaiden of the Lord. Let is be done to me according to your will.”

My image of our Cursillo Tripod also changes with today’s reading. Just as we start to attain some balance in our life between spending our week in piety, study and action, along comes Jesus and points out that the action leg of the tripod might just be a little shorter (or at least of somewhat lesser importance) than the other legs. Or at least it might be made of weaker material – perhaps wood -- while our piety and study “legs” are made from carbon fiber.

After Jesus entered her village, Mary chose to study at the feet of the Master and no one will take that away from her. This reinforces several of the themes we have encountered in Luke’s Gospel all year. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God.” While Martha is out in the kitchen preparing food and drink to serve, Mary boldly sits at the feet of the Lord. In ancient Palestine, such an act is quite gutsy. Women just did not do that in the Lord’s day and age. But the Lord was used to upsetting the civic order of his day. To help make his point, Mary was not only led to her position, but in addition, he pledged that no one would dare try to remove her.

Luke started his Gospel accounts with the detailed exposition of the call and role of Mary. Later Luke explains that women – who were the subject of much healing – also had an important role in serving the church (Luke 4:38-39) and in leading and supporting the mission of Jesus and his disciples (Luke 8:1-3). The story of Mary and Martha further establishes the respect and honor that Jesus bestowed upon women.

Today, we celebrate the feast of another important woman -- Our Lady of the Rosary. The Liturgy of the Hours teaches us, “The celebration of this day invites all to mediate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so singularly associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.”

Action

Cursillo has two grand purposes: teaching and conversion. Today’s readings also remind us of both. We hear Paul tell the Galatians (and the Virginians) about his journey after Jesus entered his life through his conversion – when he was knocked off his high horse and made blind. Then we see Mary dedicated to the teaching of the master.

The Rosary reminds us of the teaching of the Gospels in the twenty mysteries that we meditate upon. However, the praying of the rosary is not just for internal meditation and education. It also is a tool for our personal conversion. We seek to change when we pray the rosary. We ask Mary to turn to us and look upon us. “Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us.” We ask Mary to show us her Son through each of these decades of prayer. “After this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.” Once she does this, we then ask her to change us “that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”

In addition to lectio divina, the rosary might just be the perfect prayer for a Cursillista/Catholic. If you have not prayed it recently, do so today for your own personal education and conversion. It is Tuesday so common practice guides us to mediate on The Sorrowful Mysteries.

1. The Agony in the Garden

(Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46)

[Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

(Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1)

[Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]

3. The Crowning with Thorns

(Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2)

[Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]

4. The Carrying of the Cross

(Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17)

[Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]

5. The Crucifixion

(Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37)

[Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]

Finally, as you recite the concluding prayer, think of the journeys in faith experienced by Paul, Mary, Martha and yourself when Jesus enters your life.

Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has ransomed for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

One final thought from a popular teenage t-shirt: “Pray the Rosary. Your mother has not heard from you in decades.”