The Little Moments

 

  I wanted to continue highlighting Mary again this week by sharing my conversation with my granddaughter, Isabella. Isabella looked at my roses when she approached my Mary statue. She looked at Mary and said, "GG, Mary would like one of your roses."

 I smiled as I went to find my trimmers. I cut off a pretty rose from my bush and handed it to Isabella. Isabella placed the rose on top of Mary's head. "There, that looks pretty," she said. She spent the next few minutes playing around Mary. Then Isabella announced, "GG, did you know Mary is thinking about getting her haircut?"

 "No, I had no idea," I said, smiling.

 Now, I can neither confirm nor deny that Mary was thinking about getting her haircut because, to be honest, I was not privy to that conversation. I thought about it, though. How many times did I have conversations with my own mother about hairstyles? Talking about hair is a typical mother/daughter conversation.

 I'm sharing this story not only because it makes me smile every time I recall it but also to encourage everyone to talk with Mary. Don't wait until you are in a crisis. Spend little moments with her every day. Like all mothers, Mary wants you to share your life with her. And she wants to share her life with you. I want to encourage you to pick up your Rosary beads and share with Mary what is on your mind, and then as you pray the Rosary, listen to what is on Mary's mind.

-Susan 

 

Share the Rosary

 

This summer, I habitually prayed the Rosary with the Halo app as I walked my dog. I would put the volume on my phone just loud enough to hear while walking. I found it very peaceful. I could not step outside one rainy day, so I listened to the Rosary app while sitting on my couch. My dog just about had a fit. He heard the man's voice say, "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,"  and he ran barking towards the front door. I couldn't believe it! Praying the Rosary had become a habit for my dog as well!

 Now I realize my dog probably doesn't know how to say the Rosary, but I tell this story to demonstrate how easy it is to pray the Rosary. It is repetitive and relaxing. It's like wearing an old warm sweater on a crisp Fall evening. It just feels good. The comforting rhythm of the Rosary wraps the love of Mary around you as she opens your heart and mind to embrace God's love.

 October is the month we honor Mary and the Rosary. I encourage you to spend more time with Mary this month. Some beautiful Fall days are coming, so why not share them with Mary. Invite a friend to join you. Sharing your love of the Rosary with someone else is a path worth taking.

-Susan

Has Anyone Seen Jesus?

 

 In keeping with our focus on Mary and the Rosary this month, I thought I would pose a question that I often wonder about while praying the Rosary. As a parent, the fifth joyful mystery, The Finding Of Jesus In The Temple, scares me. Any parent who has had a child forget to tell them where they are going, mix up a pickup time, or miss a curfew can relate to the fear and stress of not knowing if your child is safe. My son once thought he was turning off his phone and accidentally hit the call for help option (911) instead. He quickly explained to the 911 operator he had made a mistake and then properly shut his phone off. My son was confident he had handled the situation. He didn't know that; in the meantime, my phone plan alerted me that my son had just called 911. Panicked, I called him immediately. Of course, I could not reach him because he had shut his phone off. For the next hour, I called every one of his friends, trying to determine what had happened. Fortunately, in my case, my son was never in danger. I was so grateful to his friends who helped me locate him.

 So my question about the fifth mystery is this. When Mary and Joseph discovered Jesus was missing, why didn't anyone in the caravan return with Mary and Joseph to find Jesus? I can't even begin to imagine how distraught Mary and Joseph must have felt, but their pain must have been compounded by the fact that they searched alone. Perhaps this is why Mary is always eager to help us in our time of need. She knows how painful life can be when we feel we are walking through a crisis all alone.

 If you know someone who has "lost Jesus" in their life or is struggling with personal problems, reach out to them. Let them know they are not alone. Let them know you are praying for them. That lasso of the Rosary has saved more people than we will ever know. 

-Susan

Planting Seeds

 

  As I mentioned earlier in the month, October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. I would like to suggest thinking of the Rosary from a different point of view. Imagine that each bead of the Rosary represents a seed. While we pray the Rosary and meditate on the mysteries, Mary plants seeds of faith into our souls. These seeds will help us to love Jesus even more. These seeds will open our minds to contemplate the Incarnation, Transfiguration, Eucharist, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost, to name just a few.

 From heaven, she nourishes these seeds until they blossom into a beautiful garden. If we are open to her graces, this garden will grow larger and larger, season after season, and the harvest will be great. Seeds of faith will grow into large mustard trees where others will find shelter. The fruits of this garden will be nourished by the Holy Spirit, Himself, and include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus often took His disciples to pray in the garden of Gethsemane because that is where they opened their hearts to God the Father.

 I encourage all of you to plant the Rosary deep into your soul. Allow Mary to handpick the seeds that allow the Kingdom to flourish within you and touch all who are near.

-Susan

Rosary Meditation-Joyful Mysteries

  October 7th is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.  The Church dedicates the whole month of October to the Holy Rosary. There are so many wonderful ways to pray the Rosary.  I know I have my favorites, but I also like to change things up every once in awhile to keep things fresh. I would like to share this video on the Joyful Mysteries that I have created based on the Gospel of Luke. It brings me great joy to help others discover the beauty of the Rosary.  Together let's try to encourage everyone to follow the heart of Mary as she reveals the heart of her son.  The video can also be directly accessed from the side menu for easy access.

-Susan

Unveiling The Hidden

 

 Today we begin celebrating Mary and the Holy Rosary.  Of course as everyones knows, I love praying the Rosary!  It's never the same prayer for me and I love when Mary surprises me with a new insight. When meditating on the Rosary, I often like to imagine how Mary saw these events unfold.  She knew Jesus better than anyone.  Intuitively, she must have known what all Jesus' gestures, smiles, and glances meant as He encountered both individuals and crowds, supporters and challengers, love and hostility.  Mary was blessed to have spent thirty years with Jesus before He began His mission.

  I would like to suggest that we spend the next thirty days discovering Jesus through Mary's eyes. A mother knows her child not through a couple of keys moments, but through thousands of little moments from day to day and year to year.  Let's spend time with Mary and ask her to share some of those moments from the "Hidden years".  Let's begin when Jesus was just a baby and each day add one year to His age. Perhaps these little discoveries will enhance our Rosary meditations. Let's fall in love with the child Jesus just as Mary did!

-Susan

Chain Reaction

It

  I like this above quote by St. Francis Xavier Cabrini.  I feel that if the Rosary had a motto, it might be this.  Mary's greatest desire is to remind us of Christ's great love for each of us.  A rosary's simple design allows us to carry Jesus and Mary with us no matter where we may be. It is a symbol of faith, trust, and love. It mysteriously connects our lives to Jesus. It is a prayer that leads us to inner peace so that we may extend peace to the world through our words and actions.
  October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, and the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is celebrated on today, October 7th.  I would really like to encourage everyone to share the Rosary with at least one person this month.  We all know someone who is going through a difficult time.  Why not pray the Rosary with this person, or invite someone else to pray the rosary with you for that person in need. Peace and love in our lives can never be underestimated.  Life can wear us down, but each bead of the Rosary starts a chain reaction in our souls.  It stirs us to love, He who is love. It challenges us to love as Christ loves. As we pray each rosary, we change, and then we begin changing the lives of those around us. It's an incredible chain reaction.

-Susan

Celebrating Mary

  October is the month dedicated to Mary and the Rosary.  The Rosary is my "go to" prayer.  Whether I am excited, scared, nervous, confused, angry, depressed or happy, the Rosary helps me celebrate life.  More specifically, it helps me celebrate God's life within me.  Sound mysterious?  Well that is the whole idea.  By dwelling on the mysteries of Jesus' life, I begin to unravel the mysteries of my own life. 
   God is amazing and loving far beyond my comprehension.  Like any good mother, Mary can sense my perplexity.  Gently she holds my hand and slowly helps me to understand.  She is so patient with me even when my mind is clouded with distractions, or my heart is too angry or too sorrowful to grow.  Linked together by the Rosary beads, Mary stays close to me. As I hold the beads, I can sense that Mary holds the answers I so desperately desire.  I want to love God more, but I let so many little things get in the way.  As I close my eyes and pray the Hail Mary, Mary opens my mind and heart to embrace God's loving plan.  She helps me understand things I could not comprehend on my own. 
  I have fallen in love with the Rosary.  The Rosary is my mysterious, inspiring connection to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  I believe the Rosary is the lifeline of my soul.

-Susan

All Souls Day

Each life is important.  
      Every soul is precious.  
          Remember to pray for the holy souls 
       Who have gone before us.
           Especially today.
                  They need our prayers.
          Our prayers can touch them,
       Just as their prayers can touch us.

-Susan

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

  My love for the Rosary began in my late twenties after reading about the lives of different saints.  Each of the saints had a deep devotion to Mary and the Rosary.   They seemed to radiate with  joy, because they were walking through life with Mary.  Inside, I could feel my heart burning and changing as I read about their experiences.  I wanted to have that same experience.  I wanted to walk through life with Mary, too!
  The Rosary is a chain of beads.  One Hail Mary connects us to the next, just as moments in our lives do the same.  We meditate on the mysteries of our faith, and in a sense, the mysteries of our lives.  We meditate on the painful and joyful moments Jesus and Mary experienced, so that we may begin to understand the pain and joy in our own lives.
  With each Hail Mary, we pray that we may remain faithful in fulfilling God's Will.  We pray that we may have that same great love and trust in God that Mary had in her life.  Step by step, bead by bead, Mary shows us how to give our hearts and lives to God.  We pray the words "Hail Mary" and Mary responds with the words, "Love my Son," and bead by bead, she guides us.  As we hold the Rosary beads in our hands, Mary places the beads that are dangling in her own hands, and then gently pulls us closer and closer to her Son.  The Rosary is the path that leads to God's heart.

-Susan

Fight the Good Fight

  Satan is not one of my favorite subjects to talk about.  In fact I prefer not to think of him at all.  Unfortunately, his cunning lies weave in and out of our lives.  This past week I had the opportunity to speak about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil with group of young people.  As expected, the students were quick to recognize Adam and Eve's mistake in listening to the serpent's lies.  After some discussion of the effects of this encounter, I asked them, "Has the serpent bothered you at all today?"
  I heard numerous "What?" and "No."
  "Are you sure?" I asked.  "How many of you have been tempted to do something you knew was wrong?"  One by one hands began to rise and they shared their experiences.  We then preceded to have a little fun with this.  As they shared their experiences, I pretended to be the serpent whispering the lies in an attempt to justify bad decisions.  Of course my lies were over exaggerated, obvious, and dripping with humor. We all laughed as I told them they deserved to stay mad, not share, or demand all the attention.  After we had a good laugh, we talked about how all of us have to fight temptation every day.  We may not be having an actual discussion with a talking serpent, but unfortunately his lies are still confusing us today.
  So what is one of the best ways to fight the serpent?  Pick up your rosary and ask two people who never listened to his lies-Jesus and Mary. As you pray, let each bead guide you back to the garden, where God is waiting with open arms.

-Susan

Hail Mary

  October is the month dedicated to the Rosary.  As we begin to see the changes in the leaves, let us also make whatever changes we need, to spend more time meditating on the life of Jesus through the eyes of His holy mother, Mary.  Through the Rosary, Mary nurtures our faith bead by bead, through each decade of our lives.  This month, I would like to you to seriously consider the wise words of St. Theresa of Calcutta:
  "Because Mary is 'full of grace', each 'Hail Mary' we pray opens our soul to precious graces which enrich our spirit with an increase of her virtues, and lead us into a deeper union with the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus."

-Susan

Rosary Meditation; Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony in the garden

  "Jesus came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to  the disciples , " Sit here while I pray.". He took with him Peter, James, and John and began to be troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.". After returning to find the disciples asleep, Jesus said, "Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

I sometimes wonder what might have happened if the apostles had stayed awake. I'm sure they would have heard the crowd with swords and clubs who had been sent to arrest Jesus. I mean it had to have been a decent size crowd. Surely they would have heard them coming.

How often have you been too tired or too distracted to spend time with Jesus in prayer?  Heed Jesus' words keep watch and pray that you will not undergo the test.  The Evil one is quite clever.  He will distract you with all sorts of activities so that you forget to pray. Don't fall into his trap, because evil and selfishness will surround you and you will never see it coming.  Ask Mary to help you put Christ above all else in your life.

II.  Scourging at the Pillar

"Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged."  The guards were close enough to Jesus while they scourged Him, that they were splattered with His blood.  It's hard to understand this scene.  The guards watched Jesus bleed and suffer and then laughed.  Who could do this?  Maybe we need to look only as far as a mirror's reflection.  Have you ever betrayed someone?  Cut someone deeply with your words or actions and then watched them suffer and cry?  Is it easier to whip and wound others with lies, prejudices, and intolerance then offer acceptance, understanding, or forgiveness?

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

III.  Crowning of Thorns

"The soldiers led Jesus away inside the palace.  They clothed Him in purple and weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on Him.  They began to salute Him with "Hail King of the Jews!" and kept striking His head with a reed and spitting on Him."

Mystics tell us, that had Jesus not been crucified, He would have died from the piercing of one of the thorns in His head.  A thorn is something that wounds, annoys, or causes discomfort.  It is a source of continual irritation or suffering.  How do we treat each other and those around us?  On our last day, will Jesus smile and call us"friend" or will He pull a thorn from His Sacred Head?  Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

IV.  Carrying of the Cross

The crowds gathered down the streets watching Jesus carry His heavy cross.  They were not attracted by His love, His words, or His Plan of salvation.  They watched as Evil tried to destroy Good.  Why is it easier to sit and be a spectator then to "fight the good fight"? Don't let evil prevail.  Pick up your cross and when you have the strength help someone carry their's as well.  Pray for the Kingdom of God to reign over the evil in this world.  Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

V.  The Crucifixion

Around the cross stood several groups of people.  Who would you say most resembles yourself?  Our Mother Mary who always remained faithful.  Who spent her whole life praying  and accepting  God's Will even though it would cause her tremendous pain. Or are you like the faithful disciples John and Mary Magdalen, never abandoning your Lord even when your friends have?  Are you like the criminal on the cross who will not recognize the Savior until your life is about to end? Or perhaps like the other criminal who was more interested in miracles and his earthly life, then the salvation of his soul?  Are you like the Roman soldiers who took a chance gambling over possessions rather then notice that God was in their midst?  Are you like the soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross because they listened to the will of men over the Will of God?  Are you like some who just stood and watched wanting to be part of the drama for the sake of attention and pretense?  Or those who watched from far away because they were afraid that others would know that Jesus was their Lord and Savior?  Or are you like the Roman soldier, who only after piercing the heart of Jesus, recognized  that truly this man was the Son of God?  Take a look at which group of people you find yourself standing next to.  Now take a look at Jesus suffering on the cross.  I mean really  look at Him.  Now decide where you would like to be standing and ask Mary to help you.  Please, watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

*Quotes taken from the Gospel of Mark

Good Friday

  

Gina woke up early Good Friday morning.  She picked up her Rosary and knelt beside her bed.  "The Sorrowful Mysteries, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...."  Gina prayed that Mary would help her draw closer to Jesus today.  As she slid her fingers from one bead to the next, Mary quietly came to sit next to Gina as she prayed.  Though Gina never saw Mary, nor heard her voice, she listened to Mary with her heart.
  "Gina take my hand and let's walk down the Via Delorosa.  I wish for you to begin to understand  the depths of God's love and mercy for you.  As my Son walked this path to His death, He suffered tremendously both physically and emotionally.  He saw in some hearts the very best of people and sadly he experienced in others how painfully ugly sin can really be.  The physical and verbal abuse came as crushing blows to my Son.  I had but an instant to look into His eyes after He had fallen from the weight of the cross.  But sometimes you only need a minute for Him to gaze upon you, penetrate your soul, and reveal God's Plan.  I had but an instant to say, 'I love you.  Let God's Will be done,' before they dragged us away from each other.  I did not hear Him speak again until He was hanging from His cross.  Every word He said is engraved in my heart forever.  If you wish to grow closer to My Son, spend time with Him on His Cross.  Meditate on His final words.  What do His words mean to you?.........
  When the guard thrust his sword into my son's side piercing His Sacred Heart, I witnessed the blood and water flow forth.  This is when God's great mercy flowed forth from the very depths of His heart. His divine mercy is for you and for everyone. Thank God everyday for this great gift and tell others about His mercy."
  Gina's fingers came full circle back to the crucifix.  Reverently she kissed the crucifix and said, "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  Thank you, Mary."

Praying the Rosary for Divine Mercy

  In this Jubilee Year of Mercy I would like to encourage everyone to actively participate in Divine Mercy Sunday which is the Sunday after Easter.  I have prepared a Rosary meditation with an emphasis on God's Mercy.  Please prayerfully consider celebrating this special feast day.  Jesus promised extraordinary graces to those who are in a state of grace (recently participated in the sacrament of Reconciliation) and receive the Holy Eucharist.  The Divine Mercy message is really quite beautiful and simple.  Jesus asks us to trust Him completely, perform acts of mercy, and venerate the Divine Mercy Image.  Take a chance and fall in love in love with God and His merciful embrace.

Praying the Rosary for Divine Mercy

1. The  Resurrection

     When Jesus was on the cross, the fountain of His Mercy was opened wide when a lance pierced His heart.  God’s love flowed from His heart so that we could be forgiven and redeemed.  After His Resurrection, Jesus encounters the apostles in the upper room.  He does not judge them for abandoning Him, instead He offers them His peace and gives them the power to forgive sins.  Jesus wants to heal us with His merciful love.  We must turn away from our sins and bathe in His Mercy while there is still time.

II.  Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven

      Before He ascended into the heavens, Jesus told us “I will be with you always until the end of time.”  We must put our complete trust in Jesus and know that He will never leave us alone.  Trusting in Jesus is the very heart of Divine Mercy.  Jesus told St. Faustina that “mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy.”

III.  The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles

  Mary led the apostles and holy woman in prayer beseeching the Holy Spirit to come.  We too must pray with Mary so that we are filled with the Holy Spirit and go out into the world and be the Body of Christ to all we encounter.  Filled with God’s merciful love, we can go out and be merciful to others.

IV.  Mary’s Assumption into Heaven

  With eyes of mercy, Mary watched the soldiers crucify her son.  With hands of mercy, Mary embraced Jesus’ body from the cross and prepared His body for burial.  With arms of mercy, she embraced the frightened apostles and strengthened them with prayer.  With lips of mercy she continues to prayer for the salvation of each of us. And her heart of mercy is given to all who ask for it.  It is no wonder that our merciful Lord and Savior brought her body and soul into His Heavenly Kingdom.

V.  Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven 

  As we continue to consider devoting ourselves to Divine Mercy ask Mary for her guidance.  While we are here on earth let us raise our eyes, minds, and hearts to the Queen of Heaven and ask her to help us to completely trust in God’s merciful love, His healing forgiveness and His promise of a Kingdom of Peace.  In a moment we will pray, “Hail Holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope” let us place ourselves into her hands and allow her to show us the Way.

--Susan

Joyful mysteries

I.  The Annunciation 

When the angel Gabriel came to ask Mary to be the mother of Jesus, he knew exactly where to find her.  Mary was praying, like she did every night.  Prayer was a priority in Mary's life.  She didn't just squeeze it in when she had a few extra minutes or quickly rush through it so she could go on to do other things.  God  came first in Mary's life.  Her life of prayer and devotion to God filled her with tremendous graces.  Mary was about fourteen years old when she said "yes" to God and His Will to be the Mother of the Messiah.  Each of us will be asked to carry out God's will in different ways and at different times in our lives.  It may, however, be difficult to accept if we have not spent the time praying to God.  We might not recognize His voice.  As we reflect on Jesus being conceived in Mary's womb, let us follow Mary's example and be vigilant in prayer so that when the time comes we, too, can give God our "yes".

II.  The Visitation

Three days after the Annunciation , the Lord revealed to Mary in a vision that the child Elizabeth had conceived was a son and was to be a great prophet and forerunner of the Messiah.  For four days, Mary and Joseph journeyed to her cousin Elizabeth's house.  Upon their arrival, the sound of Mary's voice fills Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit and her child leaps for joy in her womb.  Mary, too, is filled with joy in her heart as she begins to pray what we now call the Magnificat.  Mary  exclaims, "My soul depth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.". When was the last time you allowed your own spirit to rejoice in God your Savior?  While you pray this mystery, close your eyes and picture Mary sitting next to you.  She is inviting you to rejoice with her.  Just look at how radiant  Mary is while she prays. With your eyes closed,  smile as you pray and allow your heart to be filled with joy.

III.  The Birth of our Lord

Again I'm going to invite you to close your eyes and imagine that you are entering into the manger where baby Jesus was just born.  Reverently bow before the Holy Family and then slowly come closer to baby Jesus lying in the bed of hay.  Look at how tiny and beautiful He is.  Now glance at His lovely young mother Mary and her devout and humbled husband Joseph beside her.  As you take a look at the Holy Family, ask yourself what could you do to make your own family more holy?   As you pray this next decade ask Mary what she would recommend.

IV.  The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

According to the Law of Moses, every first born male was to be brought to the Temple to be dedicated to God on the 40th day after their birth.  Mary and Joseph in obedience walked the five mile journey to Jerusalem.  Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and knew their religion.  How well do you know yours?  Would you be described as a faithful Catholic?  
Think about it.....  

V.  Finding Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus was 12 years old, the Holy Family made their yearly pilgrimage to the Temple.  On their way back to Nazareth, Jesus secretly withdrew from his parents.  Jesus spent the next 3 days answering the questions of the scribes in the Temple.  Meanwhile during these 3 days, Mary and Joseph desperately searched for Jesus.  This was a time of great sorrow and suffering for both of them. During this mystery let us consider that even during our times of suffering and trials, God's Will is being done.  Though we might feel frustrated and exhausted, God has a plan for us.  We may not understand it because we can't always see the big picture. Often God challenges us to become something more. We must seek the Truth with humble and loving hearts, eyes that are open to the needs of those around us, and arms that are willing to serve.  It is through our constant prayers, obedience and our search for holiness that we will find Jesus waiting for us at the church smiling with His arms extended and eager to embrace us with His love and grace.

-Susan

Glorious mysteries

Rosary Meditation on the Glorious Mysteries

I.  Jesus' Resurrection

  Alleluia, alleluia Jesus has risen from the dead!  He is alive!  Do you believe it?  Oh Jesus, let the power and love of your Resurrection  fill us completely and remove all our doubts.  Let us love you so fully that we accept whatever challenges we must face.  Give us the courage to run towards your tomb and discover that death has no power over you or those who believe in you.  Let our faith in you roll away the stones that imprison  us with fear and doubt and confusion.  Let us bathe in the light of your Resurrection so that our faith will shine brightly and touch all that we encounter.  Let us tell everyone that Jesus is alive and He lives in me!!

2.  Jesus' Ascension into Heaven

Jesus tells the disciples "Know that I am with you ALWAYS even to the end of the world.". Close your eyes and try to understand how much Jesus loves you. He never wants us to be alone, He walks with us every moment of our lives.  Even when we are selfish and self-absorbed or are cruel and unkind, Jesus loves us and waits for us to notice Him. Can you even get a handle on that.  Jesus who is our Lord and Savior waits for us to love Him.  Why are we so blind to His love and goodness?   Ask Jesus to heal your blindness so that you can see the world with eyes of faith.  Look at your life and see Jesus in it.  He is so close to you right now that you could softy whisper in His ear.  Go ahead,  let Jesus hear the whispers of your heart and then . . .  listen to the whispers of His heart.

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles

Like the disciples who gathered in the upper room praying for the Holy Spirit to come, we too gather together and pray that the Holy Spirit touch and change us as well.  The more open we are to the Spirit, the more the interior life of our soul grows.  But how do we become more open to the Holy Spirit?  We ask Mary to lead us in prayer.  Mary's life revolved around her time spent in prayer with God.  Can we honestly say our lives are centered around prayer?  How much time did you spend in prayer yesterday, was it the center of your life?  If prayer can move mountains then why are we only interested in moving the buttons on the remote control or the mouse of the computer.  Let's face it, we could do so much better.  Time is a precious gift.  How you use it here on earth could make all the difference in Eternity.  Let the Holy Spirit blow away some of your silly distractions and fill you up with Christ's love instead.  Prayer- everybody's got time for that!

4.  Mary's Assumption into Heaven

Ever wonder what's the best way to get to heaven?  Ask Mary.  They way she lived her life was so pleasing to Jesus that He personally escorted her body and soul into heaven.  

5.  Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven

Mary is the mother and queen of every Christian family.  Let us ask Mary to watch over our families and teach us how to inspire our children and friends to have faith in Jesus.  Mary teach us how to be obedient to God's loving desires for us.  Inspire our family to honor and remain devoted to you,  so that we remain close to one another and close to our heavenly Father.  Mary be generous with the graces you bestow upon us so that we in turn can be generous with our neighbors.  Mary our Lord loved you so much that He crowned you Queen of Heaven. I, too, love you so much that I would like to crown you queen of my heart.

-Susan

Mary, Queen of the Rosary, pray for us.

In continuing to honor Mary in the month of October, I thought I would share these inspired words by Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

  "The Rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next.  The power of the Rosary is beyond description."

Sorrowful Mysteries

Rosary Meditation on the Sorrowful Mysteries

1.  Agony in the Garden

While Jesus is praying the guards come to arrest Jesus. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.  Judas does not understand who Jesus really is. Judas is distracted with the lure of money and fitting in. It is easy to hate Judas in this scene, but can we honestly say we have never been tempted by money and popularity?   Think about it.  Do you think you have ever betrayed Jesus for the love of money?

2.  Scourging at Pillar

When Jesus speaks with Pilate He says those who listen to the truth will here my voice?  Pilate couldn't understand this because he did not value truth. Do you value truth?  How often do you lie in a week?  Who's voice are we listening to when we don't choose to tell the truth?

3.  Crowning of the Thorns

Jesus stands in front of an angry crowd with a Crown of thorns ripping into His scalp.  His body has been scourged.  And the crowd yells crucify Him, crucify Him.  Why couldn't the crowd recognize that Jesus was the Christ?  Have you ever went along with popular opinion just because it was easier than standing up for what is right?  Has Jesus ever stood in front of you and you failed to recognize who was asking you to do the right thing?

4.  Carrying of the Cross

Mary lovingly gazed into Jesus' eyes when He fell, Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carry the cross, and Veronica wiped the face of our Lord with a cloth.  These acts must have been extremely important to Jesus or they would not have been told over and over for the past two thousand years..  Jesus asks us to respond with mercy and compassion when we see each other hurting-even if it is the smallest of acts.

5.  Crucifixion

The crucifixion is one of the most difficult things to understand, especially for those closest to Jesus. How could this possibly be the Plan, how could this be God's Will?  Mary, John, Mary Magdalene, and a few other Holy Woman stay with Jesus until the end.  It must have been horribly painful to watch Jesus be crucified and scary to think the same could happen to His followers.  John was the youngest of the disciples, I'm sure he was very afraid.  He didn't run away like the rest of the apostles, he remained faithful to Jesus.  I think that's a good lesson for all of us.  We don't always understand Gods Will, we have no control over God's Will.  The only thing we have control over is our response to God's Will.  Will you still say "yes" to God no matter what it will cost you?

-Susan

Rosary Meditation; Mysteries of Light

I.  Jesus Baptism in the River Jordan

Jesus comes to the River Jordan to be Baptized by John the Baptist.  I thought today we could look at this mystery from John's perspective.  John  has devoted his life to prayer and to God.  The crowds are drawn to John and to his message of repentance.   Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  And then one day Jesus wades into the water to be baptized.  John recognizes Jesus and he is confused as to why Jesus would need to be baptized.  John feels that it is Jesus that should be baptizing him.  And what is Jesus' response?  Jesus tells John to go ahead and allow it to fulfill all righteousness.  To be righteous is to act in accordance with Divine law.  In other words, Jesus tells John this is God's Will, do it.  John listens to Jesus and the world is forever changed.  The Spirit of God descends from heaven and God reveals Jesus' glory.  Now we are not baptized with just water, but we are baptized or immersed with the Holy Spirit.  We do not walk this world alone.  We live as children of God with His Holy  Spirit living inside of us.  And we, like John, are called to be righteous--to turn away from sin and listen to Jesus' words so that we too, can do God's Will.  John did not understand God's Will at that moment, but he was faithful, trusting, and obedient.  Let us ask Mary to help us to recognize God's Will in our lives and then be faithful, trusting, and obedient so that God may use us to change the world.

II.  Wedding of Cana

Mary notices that they had run out of wine at the wedding and  she asks Jesus for His help.   Looking around Mary recognizes the  servants present and calls them over.  Mary instructs them to do whatever Jesus tells them.  The servants did as Jesus directed and the water they filled into the large jars turns into wine.  Jesus' glory was revealed and His disciples began to believe in Him.   The servants at the wedding listened to Jesus and witnessed His first public miracle.  We don't always  know how or when God will use us, His servants, to reveal His glory.  But God does have a plan for each of us--whether it may be to baptize others with water,  gather water into a jar, or lead others to living water.     We must take the time to listen to the words of Jesus or we may not ever encounter His glory.

III. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

Jesus begins His mission proclaiming the Kingdom of God.  What did He say?  Did He give directions to a place?  Where is the kingdom of God?  I would like to suggest that  the kingdom of God is not a geographical place to visit but rather it is present where ever God dwells.  Jesus describes the kingdom  as treasure hidden in a field, a wedding feast,  a mustard seed, a mam who sowed good seed,  yeast, or a pearl.   What do all these parables have in common?  Jesus demonstrates the  importance of being faithful and righteous.  Perhaps the kingdom of God is so foreign to us because we are so busy acquiring the  desires of the world that we have not taken the time to discover what God desires.  How much time have you spent searching for where God dwells?  Have you found Him dwelling inside you?  We can live in the kingdom whenever we choose.  God has already chosen us, how long must He wait before you choose Him?  The kingdom of God is at-hand the only person standing in your path is you.

IV.  The Transfiguration

Jesus asks Peter, James, and John to climb Mt. Tabor with Him in order to draw closer to God.  How many of you have ever climbed a mountain?  Our family climbed in the Smokey Mountains last year.  I believe it was about  a 5 mile hike.  This is how are conversations went.  In the beginning we were excited and energetic, however after the first mile was done we started asking questions. " How much longer?  Is there a short cut?  I'm tired, can't we stop?"  And when we passed people coming down the mountain path we would ask , "was it worth it?".   The  fact is climbing a mountain is challenging.  And sometimes in order to grow closer to God we have to conquer some challenges.  Prayer may not always be convenient, it might not always be uplifting, it may require us to sometimes leave the comforts of our everyday life and spend time just with God away from all of life's distractions.  It may not come easy to you and there are no short cuts.  But I'm sure you if you asked people who have an active prayer life if it was worth it, they would certainly say yes.  And it is possible that if we put the effort into our prayer life, we too may catch a glimpse of Jesus' divinity  just like Peter, James, and John .

V.  Institution of the Eucharist 

Some of the most memorable stories about Jesus are those instances where Jesus touches and heals.  The lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear,  the sick are healed and sinners repent.   Do you remember the story of the woman in the crowd who knew if she could only touch Jesus she would be healed?  Do you think touching Jesus would make a difference in your life?  Do you really believe that when you extend your hands at communion and say "amen" you are touching the Body of Christ?.  Every mass Jesus' merciful love is extended to us. He loves us so much and wants to touch us and be a part of us.    I would like to suggest that  when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist with our hands open and we place His Holy Body into our mouths, His loving touch really can transform us.  Our hands become holy hands eager to do God"s work and our lips and tongue become holy so that we may proclaim God's words, and His Blood mixes with our blood so that our hearts become holy and love others the way God loves.  This is what I think about while I wait in the communion line to receive My Lord and Savior.  And then  I wonder how His  loving touch me will change me, so that I may in turn touch and change others.

-Susan