Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic
Date:         Mon, 28 Sep 1992 09:24:43 CDT
From:         Elizabeth Stevens <CCCAMPER@MIZZOU1.BITNET>
Subject:      Saying the Rosary

The Rosary is one of the most beautiful means of getting closer to
Christ. When I pray the rosary, it is from the heart, it is not
a prayer to be said only with the lips, and not fast as so many
"cradle Catholics" I've prayed with say it. :-) (Although this is
changing)

Below are some examples of thoughts I've had when praying the rosary.

The annunciation:
As the hail Mary's are said, my mind explores what this was like
for Mary. The more times prayed, the more I understand her situation.
Sometimes I may be aware of her joy, sometimes her fear, sometimes
her expectations, sometimes her awe. Always, there is one more little
piece of the puzzle that falls into place, as with all the other mysteries.

The visitation:
Many things to learn here. When Mary rushed to see Elizabeth, she was
pregnant herself. Yet she went to serve another. Sometimes I think of
how much joy they must have shared together in their "secrets".
Elizabeth confirmed to Mary her own role "Blessed are thou among
women, and blessed in the fruit of your womb".

The nativity::
What a joyful time this must have been for Mary, to finally hold in
her arms her King. The wonder must have been overwhelming. Those
who came to see Him must have helped Mary with her faith, and Joseph,
too, to believe all that had been told to them about this God-baby.

The presentation:
Mary must have been so happy to take her Son and present Him in
God's house. Consider her expectations. And yet think of the fear
and unknowing and the faith required of her when she heard that
"a sword will pierce your heart".

The finding in the temple:
What a very difficult time for Jesus' mother and step-father.
To have lost their Son for days! What could have gone through
their minds. This must have been a very significant time for them
both spiritually. Probably was for Jesus, also, in the Temple.
Afterwards Mary pondered what had happened in her heart. She still
had to go on faith. Trying to understand, yet remaining empty
to God's will.

The sorroful mysteries are to me the most important. In these prayers
I have come to a better understanding of how much He loves me, and
how much He was willing to sacrifice for me. I believe that these
mysteries are tremendously significant for anyone's spiritual growth.

The agony in the garden:
How painful this must have been, how alone He must have felt. I often
join my similar feelings to His and "share in the cross". Jesus
had little or no consolation yet He remained faithful to His task.
How this helps me with my own struggles.

The scourging at the pillar:
Jesus endured a terrible beating, His flesh was ripped away. Yet
He endured this for us. For me. Often as this mystery is prayed
He looks at me and says "I did this for you" and I am humbled and
want them to stop, because the scouring is for sins that I have
committed and I wish with all my heart I could take them back.
Begin anew. But He forgives and we may begin anew.

The crown of thorns:
Jesus endured tremendous humiliation. He was beaten, spat upon, mocked,
despised. Every person who did these things to Him He loved. He loves
each of us. In our anger and our rudeness, He still loves us. We
must always remember when we are angry that the person we are angry
with is someone He loves and treasures. We should find another way
to deal with them. To find what He loves in them. To 'act more from
our experience with grace than our experience with sin'.

The carrying of the cross:
How exhausted and devastated He must have been by now! And yet He
had to continue of, for us. Somehow. What must His mother have felt
as she saw Him on the road? How strong was her faith to be able
to see her Son she knew was God treated so and remain silent, to
not curse God, to not simply go crazy. What obedience to His will.
How can I ever learn such obedience?
How did Jesus feel, to see the mobs shouting at Him, more of the
negative, the denial of His Glory, when He loved them all and went
to Calvary for them. How painful it must have been to be giving
everything for them and have the gift returned with obscenties and
abuse and ridicule. Surely if He could endure this for me, I can
find the courage to love others and work for Him, even when it
only brings ridicule and rejection. Lord, help me find the courage
to walk with You, to follow Your footsteps with my eyes only on
the cross, and hear Your voice and not mind the shouting of those
who deny You.

The crucifixion:
Jesus was flesh, and into that flesh the spikes were driven. One hand,
another hand, through the feet. Explosions of pain on top of the
pain that already wracked His poor body. Yet faithful He remained.
Loving us through it all. What incredible agony it must have been
when the cross was first dropped into the ground and the weight of
His body pulled viciously downward ripping at His hands and feet.
And what of Mary? Jerry Morin sings "How could this all have happened,
what had He ever done? And now to see you dying, I'm dying too,
my Son".
"Jesus remember me, when you come into your Kingdom" "Today you will
be with Me in paradise". What a promise. Lord help me find my way
there, to be with You, and to spend eternity praising your Glory
and Mercy and Love.
And He let out one last cry, and the temple curtain was torn in half,
the old gave way to the new. "Surely this was an innocent man".

I don't yet understand the glorious mysteries much, so I have little
to share of them. Yet He will no doubt teach me the longer I pray
them.

The rosary is a displine that allows a framework to contemplate on
the glory and wonder of Jesus. Were I to say, every day I'll sit
down and think of Jesus and His sacrifice for 20 or 30 minutes, it
would be difficult to do this. The rosary provides the means for
this to happen. I've heard it described as the banks of a river, and
for me this is true. My thoughts flow within the banks and it leads
me out to the ocean of His Love, and with each jouney He takes me
some place just a little different, because He is infinite and has
so much to share. And with each journey my love for Him increases.
I appreciate His sacrifice more. My longing for Him grows.

Love in Christ,
Elizabeth
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU