The News. Mysteries of the Rosary (2015-10-04)

SUNDAY 4  October 2015 27^th Sunday

• Genesis 2:18-24  • Psalm  128 • Hebrews 2:9-11  • Mark 10:2-16 •

[__01__]    Do we watch the news? Or do we live the news? Do we live the Good News?

We are well aware, surrounded by not only by coastal flood warnings of Hurricane Joaquin but also we swim in oceans of data, pixels, and devices.  

[__02__]     Perhaps, it is impossible to stay dry amid the oncoming waves of news broadcasts or to go hungry when there are so many tasty sound bites. I can hardly resist. Check your local listings.

Perhaps, our situation is similar to Job, in the Book of Job. He did not have a signal, but there were many carriers of information, right to his doorstep.

Each one was bursting in with a more important update than the one before and said, “And I alone have escaped to tell you.” (Job 1:15)

The news broadcasters of the world – also want the exclusive, the scoop.

[__03__]    But, God, bringing us the news of our Savior does not want you – or me - to watch as a passive observer.  We are called not simply to watch the Good News of the Gospel but to live the broadcast.

The month of October and the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary of October 7 reminds us that we can receive the Good News by meditating on these mysteries…and not just meditating … but by meditating, we imitate what they contain and contain what they promise. (Rosary Prayer).

[__04__]    At this Mass, the annual celebration of the Our Lady of Lourdes Rosary Altar Society, we also recall that we can receive and apply the Good News of the Gospel through the mysteries of the Rosary to our lives.

The mysteries of the Rosary remind us that the Gospel Good News  also “finds us” …”tracks us down” even if we were not fully tuned in, even if we missed the broadcast. Every mystery can be  applied to some aspect of our lives.

Our Savior – Jesus - he alone, first escaped death to tell us this Good News. (cf. Job 1:15)

[__05__] The first joyful mystery. The Annunciation.

In any announcement, we are called to listen, to adjust ourselves to some new event, some new reality. For  Mary, this was the birth of the Son of God, with limited means of support.

How do we receive announcements?

The announcement could be a major transition in our lives. The Lord does not reject Mary’s questions or our questions.

We might observe that Mary’s questions are first made in private, in contemplation before God.

What  is your inclination with some unfamiliar news? I know mine… is often to check or consult with as many people as possible.

The Annunciation reminds us to turn to God first.

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__06__]   The second joyful mystery. The Visitation.

Receiving, adjusting to some news, we do need friendship, support, intimacy, with someone who shares our struggle.  The visitation was a time of preparation for the Blessed  Mother, Our Lady [of Lourdes].

Also, this was a time for her to be affirmed, to be hailed, welcomed.

And, we are are also called to affirm to build up others, as Elizabeth did for Mary.

And, is it not humility that enables me to recognize the good in another person?

If I  am proud and attached to my achievements (real or imagined), I find it harder to affirm others to be a blessing to others.

[__07__]   The third joyful mystery. The Nativity.

After Mary “adjusts” to the Good News and prepares by her visit to Elizabeth, Mary gives birth to our Savior at Christmas.

Now, the news is public, no longer private. However, the news is not universally welcomed.  We may be called to follow God’s ways or speak God’s word even if we are rejected, persecuted.

Today’s Gospel Good News gives a pure and clear teaching on the sanctity of marriage and the reason for  the  permanence and indissolubility of marriage between a man and a woman. Not everyone is going to shower this baby with gifts…

Nevertheless, the announcement is made.

And, in our Holy Father’s visit to the U.S., the Nativity is a mystery for us to consider.

Was not the Nativity especially evident when Pope Francis stood before all of the U.S. Congress and Senate and before the United Nations General Assembly?

The Nativity of DC and NYC reminds us that Jesus live and  died even for those who do not believe in him.

This is Good News, but it is also a joyful mystery.

A joyful mystery that continues each day, that we try to present  Jesus to the world (“the 4^th joyful mystery”), to present Jesus at Liberty Middle School,  West Orange High School, Mount St.  Dominic Academy, Seton Hall Prep, St.  Peter’s Prep….or Rutgers or Redwood school.

and each day that we try to find his love, his word in confusing circumstances (“the 5^th joyful mystery”).

[__08__]  The joyful mysteries of the rosary remind us to persevere  in prayer, to live the good news and to remember that these mysteries are not HISTORY.

Rather  they are the eternal present of our Savior, that God is alive and calls us each day to consider that  he is calling us to

ANNOUNCE his presence by our  love, honesty, repentance

VISIT – with him in prayer so that we can know what is good in ourselves and  in another.

WELCOME  HIS BIRTH, even if others  reject our faith or ideals.

He is calling us to present  him to the world.

He is calling us to find him each day.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Pray for Us.    [__fin__]