Ponder the Mysteries: A Gift in Praying the Rosary

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Let us be reminded the many, many Saints that have proclaimed their love and devotion to praying the Holy Rosary each day, faithfully. 
 
“If our age in its pride laughs at and rejects Our Lady’s Rosary, a countless legion of the most saintly men of every age and of every condition have not only held it most dear and have most piously recited it but have also used it at all times as a most powerful weapon to overcome the devil, to preserve the purity of their lives, to acquire virtue more zealously, in a word, to promote peace among men.” ~Pope Pius XI
 
Shortly after becoming pregnant with our son, I began to pray the Holy Rosary each day and still do.  It is something that I look forward to each day.  Learning more about Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother is a treasure that is found in praying the Holy Rosary.    
 
“The Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God.”~St. Louis De Monfort
 
Each time that I pray the Rosary and meditate on each mystery, I feel as if I am being transported back in time.  Each mystery of the Rosary brings us directly into the most significant moments of the life of Jesus Christ and His most holy Mother.   It allows me to feel as if I am “walking with them” and experiencing each moment.   Every day, we mediate on either the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful or Glorious mysteries.
 
“The Rosary is the Bible on a String.” ~Fr. Ronan Murphy
 
The Joyful mysteries are just that: joyful.  They allow us to reflect on the very early life of Jesus.  They begin with the very moment that Angel Gabriel appears to the Blessed Mother and reveals that God wishes she be the Mother of God, in which she accepts, Yes!  (Luke 1:26-38)  I love to imagine the happiness and comfort that Blessed Virgin Mary felt while staying with her cousin Elizabeth who was then pregnant with John the Baptist.  I smile each time I think of the future baptizer of Jesus leaping in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:41).  With this mystery, we are also able to ponder the birth of Jesus Christ.  As a mom, I think of the love, amazement, joy and comfort that the Blessed Virgin Mary felt when she first held Jesus in her arms and consider the same feelings that I experienced in the first moments when our son was born. 

The Luminous mysteries bring us from the “hidden life in Nazareth to the public life of Jesus, our contemplation brings us to those mysteries which may be called in a special way “mysteries of light". Certainly, the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the “light of the world" (Jn 8:12). Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of his public life, when he proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom.” Saint Pope John Paul II*    The Luminous mysteries help me to consider how I can “listen,” “obey,” and “follow” Jesus just as the apostles did and use Jesus as an example in all aspects of my life.  After coming back home to the Catholic Church I feel that my baptism in Christ has been renewed and continues to be renewed each day and moment in which I decide to continue to follow Him. While at times it can be difficult to discern what Jesus actually wants us to do, considering the Luminous mysteries helps tremendously.  I have found that, in particular, The Wedding Feast at Cana puts me back on track when I have moments of fear, anxiety, doubt or uncertainty.  “Do whatever he tells you do to.” John 2:5 is what I envision the Blessed Virgin Mary telling me when Jesus is calling me to listen, obey and follow Him.  

The Sorrowful mysteries bring us to face the Cross of Jesus and to imagine and feel the suffering that He felt.  One of the most poignant features of this mystery is in Matthew 26:39 where we are witness to how Jesus was fully God but also fully human.  In all ways did our Lord suffer for the forgiveness of our sins.  While He was perfect, he died so that we can live eternally with Him.  “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42) This also shows Jesus’s total consent and submission to God and should reflect our own complete and total submission to God and His will.  We must carry our Cross and trust in God just as Jesus did and gave us the Ultimate Sacrifice.

The Glorious mysteries bring us to Jesus’s fulfilled prophecy that “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” (Luke 24:7)  The Glorious mysteries are also the “crown of Jesus' triumphs. How exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead thereby destroying death and making you an heir to Heaven.”*   The Glorious mysteries reflect on the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) The Glorious Mysteries highlight the Blessed and eternal Virgin Mary finally reunited with her Son.   The Blessed Mother was assumed into heaven, both body and soul and is then crowned rightfully as Our Lady: Queen of Heaven and Earth and Queen of all the Angels and Saints.
 
What is your favorite mystery or mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary?  Please share on Facebook. 

As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
 
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Sources:
“The Holy Rosary.” EWTN, www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/
"Rosary Quotes.” The Power of the Rosary, www.thepoweroftherosary.com/rosary-quotes.html.
“Find Jesus, Life's Greatest Happiness Through Mary And The Triumphs They Share In The Glorious Mysteries Of The Rosary.” Glorious Mysteries of the Catholic Rosary, www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com/glorious-mysteries.html.