The Lord Is With You: Week 3 concludes

   As Ross drove the family home from church, he thought more about St. Joseph's words. "Praying with my wife and son were the greatest moments of my life."  Ross wondered if St. Joesph was inferring that Ross should pray more with his wife and son or with St. Joseph's wife and son?  Ross repeated St. Joseph's words over and over in his mind searching for the answer. Suddenly his thoughts became clear- if I pray the Rosary with my wife and son, I will also be praying with Jesus and Mary!  The answer was so simple, except there was just one problem.  Ross and Joey were struggling with the Rosary.  He wondered why Peggy enjoyed it so much?

  "Hey, honey, I was thinking we could try praying the Rosary again today," Ross said as he turned to look at Peggy.

  "Sounds good to me," Peggy answered.

  "Yeah, me too!" said Joey.

  Ross was shocked, "Really?"

  "Yeah I could use a good nap again!" Joey said laughing.

  "That's not funny.  I was thinking maybe we should try something different to make it more...um..um.." Ross struggled to find the best word.

 "More spiritual, more moving?" Peggy replied.  "Yes I was thinking the same thing.  I think I have an idea that you will both like.  And Joey if you are feeling too tired maybe we should consider setting an earlier bedtime for you."

  "No, thanks," replied Joey very quickly. "My bedtime is just fine."

  After dinner Peggy called the boys over to pray.  " I gave some thought on how to help both of you love praying the Rosary like I do.  There are lots of different ways to approach the Rosary, and personally I like to mix it up all the time, so that the Rosary is never the same.  I know last week you both concentrating on the order of the prayers, and I think you have that down.  Now the next step is to meditate on what exactly is transpiring in each mystery.  Imagine the event in your head, ask yourself these questions: Who is present? What do they see?  What do they hear? What are they feeling?  What is God revealing? Why does that have meaning in my life?  

  I thought we could pray in front of the manger tonight as we pray the Joyful Mysteries again.  As we pray I'm going to place one of the figures in front of us.  Try to imagine what that particular person is experiencing at that particular moment. If you have any trouble imagining things, ask Mary to help you.  Ready?"

(to be continued...)

-Susan