Liturgy & Devotions | Daily Meditations

Contemplating the mysteries of Christ's life while praying the Rosary

by Father Patrick Butler, LC | Source: Catholic.net

John 19:25-27

 

IntroductoryPrayer:

You are true goodness and life, Lord. Closeness to you brings peace and joy. You deserve all of my trust and my love.Thank you for the gift of life, my family and above all of my faith. Thank youas well for giving us your Mother at the foot of the cross.

 

Petition:

Lord, help me to grow in my filial love for Mary, your Mother and mine.

 

1. Standing: 

Today is a Marian feast: “OurLady of Sorrows”. Mary, like me, had no particular love of pain and sorrow. The first announcement of her vocation by the Archangel Gabriel mentioned nothingabout it, being filled only with messianic promises. However, soon after Jesus’birth, Simeon completed the dimensions that were to enlighten her vocation:“…and a sword will pierce your heart that the thoughts of many might berevealed”. Recognizing the fulfillment of her calling in the accompanying of herSon during his crucifixion, she does so with a desire to fulfill God’smysterious plan, not reluctantly, but standing closely to Jesus with all thesorrow that this implied for her.

 

2. Last Will and Testament: 

The words Jesus speaks to his mother and his beloved disciple are equivalent to his last will and testament. He bequeaths what is most precious to him to a belovedperson. To Mary, he gives the friend that he loves so much, who will also needher help in the difficulties he will face. To John, he gives his greatest humancomfort, his mother who is his best disciple. He knows that she needs him, anadopted son, to comfort and accompany her.

 

3. Mary Makes My Home Sweet: 

John took hisresponsibility for Mary seriously, taking her into his own home. Home for Johnwas nothing less than the Church that Jesus founded. Mary was to have the prideof place there, as Jesus’ mother, and as she who knew, loved and served himbest. She also took her role seriously, so seriously that she immediately perceived that all those she encountered were her adoptive sons and daughters. In this house that is the Church, Mary is the sweetness of the traditional saying, “Home, sweet home”.

 

Conversation with Christ: 

Jesus, I can’t thank you enough forentrusting your

mother to me and me to her. I want to take care

of her by beingan attentive, faithful son who imitates

you. That’s what will console her andmake her

heart rejoice. Mary, be always at my side and

intercede for me beforeGod, in order that I

persevere in following your Son.

 

Resolution:

I will make my devotion to Mary very personal, whether it be inspontaneous conversation with her or contemplating the mysteries of Christ’s life while praying the Rosary.