Mysteries of the Rosary: Hope

At the beginning of Lent 2019 I had hoped to write on my blog as much as I could.  My main computer promptly died and I had no access to a keyboard at home. Good intentions count for Lent right?  I am now typing on a loner iPad because God is good.

My reflections on this set of mysteries are a culmination of thoughts through prayer.  If you read these, may they bring you much fruit through prayer.



Hopeful Mysteries of the Rosary

First Mystery: The Road to Emmaus

“That very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side: but something prevented them from recognizing him.” LK 24: 13-16
“Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing: then he broke it and handed it to them.  And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; but he had vanished from their sight.” LK 24:30-31

Second Mystery: Appearance to the Disciples and Thomas

“In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side.” JN 20:19-20
“The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said.  Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ “ JN 20: 26-28

Third Mystery: Jesus Appears to Mary his Mother

We can most assuredly assume that Jesus Risen appeared to his mother.  As one conceived without sin in order to be the Theotokos, we can only imagine the embrace of love she felt at seeing him in her knowledge of great hope as well as the feeling of home within his arms.

Fourth Mystery: Appearance on the Shore

“It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realize it was Jesus.” JN 21:4
“As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. JN 21:9-12
“After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’. A second time he said to him , ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you’.  Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep’.  Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you’. Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ JN 21: 15-17

Fifth Mystery: Appearance to Saul and his Conversion

“Suddenly, while he was traveling to Damascus and just before he reached the city, there came a light from heaven all round him. He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
‘Who are you, Lord?’ He asked, and the voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me. Get up now and go into the city, and you will be told what you have to do.” ACTS 9:3-6

All quotes from the New Jerusalem Bible 1966 Doubleday & Company: New York

The Great Small Acts of Kindness

My neighbor cut the grass in my yard while I was at work Friday.  I think he has one of those large mowers that do it really fast.  It would have been super great if he hadn't have scalped to the ground the mums and Mexican heather I had planted near my porch. 

The first thing I thought was a little anger and how it is exactly the thing my father has done to my mother's plants for 40 odd years.  It made me sad but I thought about it and writing my neighbor a note to thank him and ask that I cut my own yard next time. I hope it didn't come across as rude.  Honestly, I probably need the help as it's just me for all the work at my house.

My neighbor's act was a kindness and the scalping I needed to forgive.  This was such a good opportunity for me to live what the message was on Thursday I think... Luke 9:24 'Take up your cross and follow me."  Maybe not exactly what Jesus meant, but the idea was to find love in my heart over the anger and sadness I felt about such a trivial thing.

I am working on it!  In the mean time, I have been adding fertilizer to my little plants each day.  It will take some time, like all things worth it, but they may grow again.

Ash Wednesday 2019

The priest at noon mass today was the vibrant Irish type.  "I like the splatter method, and you can do what you will with that!"  He started to sing the the remembrance of ashes as he passed them out.  It helped the participants who did not regularly come to mass be at ease for sure.

I usually miss Ash Wednesday mass because I am always working, but this year I was able to attend.  As I mentioned, I am going to give it a go for lent 2019.

I started my Ash Wednesday with the rosary.  One of my favorite things to do is to offer my rosary for a Roman Catholic priest's renewal of love for the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Christ in the Eucharist.

from: The New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2

Can you imagine the amazing things the Holy Spirit can do through a fervent Catholic priest?  I am lucky enough to have seen this often having grown up in a state like Louisiana where Catholicism is common.  Fervent priests do not raise themselves, they raise the whole community.

A website that is dedicated to prayer for priests is here: https://www.foundationforpriests.org/

Lent 2019

Happy Lundi Gras!  

History of Mardi Gras in Biloxi, Mississippi.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3984b.ct000659/?r=-0.327,-0.014,1.556,0.815,0

As I prepare for Lent 2019,  I am in a new city. 

Biloxi, MS labels itself as the first city to have official Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States.  Biloxi was once a part of the original land claimed by Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle for the French monarchy of Louis XIV and Anna, naming all the land drained by the Mississippi River, La Louisiane.  The French Catholic tradition of one last party before a season of sacrifice was continued by new residents.  Historically, Mardi Gras celebrations were carried out by local groups of revelers who carried flambeaus through the streets and paraded as masked miscreants.  This tradition grew to include balls and floats as societies established themselves as official Mardi Gras associations.

Once the party is done, today recognized in New Orleans when the police horsemen ride down Bourbon Street, revelers turn in their boas and cocktails and head to church.  Having grown up so close to New Orleans I can not count how many times I've been to Bourbon Street.  The sense of revelry never seems to end there.  This type of atmosphere brings a seriousness to the sacrifice that Lent leads to.  Preparing for the Triduum of Easter is acknowledging that a divine man sacrificed for all eternity for the sake of men's souls.  The same souls that seek solace in overdoing it each year.

I don't understand the love of Jesus sacrificing on the cross very much but, this year my prayers will be in gratitude. My act will be to try to write about God's grace every day on this space.