Rosary in the Journey of our Faith

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time Year II and the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7th, 2020

Texts: Gal. 2:1-2,7-14; Ps. 117:1-2; Luke 11:1-4

Today is the memorial of our Lady of Rosary; it commemorates the victory of Christian soldiers at Lepanto over the Turks (Muslim world). The victory came through recitation of Rosary as they sought for the help of our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Beside being the commemoration of the victory at Lepanto, it is also a call to be like the Blessed Virgin Mary, who always meditated on the mysteries of Christ. The Scripture says, "As for Mary, she treasured all things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Rosary is a meditative prayer; it centres on meditation on the mysteries of Christ. When we pray Rosary we also meditate on the mysteries of our salvation. St. Paul puts the mysteries of our salvation thus: "Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed: He was made visible in the flesh, attested by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the pagans, believed in by the world, taken up in glory" (1Tim. 3:16).

The mysteries of Christ are the message of the gospel; the meditation on the mysteries is the meditation on the gospel. Joy fills the heart that meditates on the gospel, for happy is he who meditate on the law of God (Ps. 1:2). St. Bernard speaks of the meditation on the mysteries of Christ thus: "If I reflect on any of these things, I reflect on God, and in all of them I find my God. I call it wisdom to meditate on these things. I judge it prudence to recall the fragrance which the rod of Aaron produced so plentifully in these buds, the fragrance which Mary draws from above she pours generously on us."

St. Paul, in today's first reading, following a revelation, went up to Jerusalem to lay down before men of repute the gospel he had preached, lest he had run in vain. He recalled and submitted the gospel he preached for reassessment; he sought for a guide. Rosary is a repository of the mysteries of our faith, praying it we recall and assess once again the mystery of our faith, the core of our gospel message. Hence, Rosary is a guide in the journey of our faith, it keeps us from going astray. The disciples, in today's gospel reading, asked Jesus Christ for guide in praying. It written thus: "Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of the disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray". Jesus Christ gave the disciples a guide, known today as the 'Lord's Prayer' or 'Our Father'.

Dear friends, Rosary is very valuable in the journey of our faith. It is the meditation on the mysteries of Christ with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us pray it every day to tap from its blessings. Pope Pius XI says, “The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.”

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the gift of your mother to us, as we celebrate today our Lady of Rosary, may we always enjoy her maternal intercessions, love and goodness in our lives. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke