Rosary #27 Mortification for the sake of the others

ROSARY #27

In our desire to conform to the poor and crucified Jesus, we must strive to develop a spirit of mortification (CONST. 29).

 

FIRST MYSTERY: LITTLE FLOWERS FOR JESUS

The first small step in following Jesus is to offer little flowers: little things, little offerings, tiny sacrifices that we make with a certain frequency, offering them to the Lord secretly, according to his command: "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. (Mt. 6: 16-18). 

 

It is important 'to us to make a secret of these multiple little occasions on which we exercise the spirit of external mortification, for this must be a habitual thing in communal life (G. Giaquinta).

 

SECOND MYSTERY: PRAYER AND FASTING

We learn about humility from the Gospel passage that says that the Apostles were unable to expel demons. The Fathers of the Church concluded that this incident was an indication and symbolic of the sin of impurity. In fact, the Apostles were amazed that Jesus could so easily expel such demons. Thus, they asked Him why they could not expel such demons, and Jesus replied: “This kind of demons can only be expelled with prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:28-29).

 

Therefore, prayer is the first requirement, and then mortification of the senses, of the imagination, of the memory, of the eyes, and of all that surrounds us; mortification, both ordinary and extra-ordinary, in order to attain total control over our inclinations (G. Giaquinta).

 

THIRD MYSTERY: SPIRIT OF MORTIFICATION

As St. Paul wrote, “What I do is to discipline my own body and master it, for fear that after having preached to others I myself should be rejected” (1 Cor 9:27).

 

The spirit of mortification must be one of our characteristics... This spirit of mortification encompasses all levels: apparel, entertainment, and many other things…we are based on certain principles of austerity - principles that perhaps are a little strong, or better yet, very strong (G. Giaquinta).

 

FOURTH MYSTERY: BEAR WITH HIM THE CROSS

God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)

 

Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in heaven, but few who bear His Cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to suffer for His sake (G. Giaquinta).

 

FIFTH MYSTERY: MARY OUR HELP WITH THE SPIRTUAL BATTLE

Today's mentality is vigorously antithetical to any ascetic spirit of mortification. To overcome that mentality we must go against the tide and acquire a solid formation based on the mystery of the cross of Christ (Commentary to #29)  "Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God" (Pope Benedict XVI 2009).

 

May Mary, Mother and faithful Servant of the Lord, help believers to enter the “spiritual battle” of Lent, armed with prayer, fasting and the practice of almsgiving, so as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter Feasts, renewed in spirit (Pope Benedict XVI 2008).

 

Rosary #26 Imitate Christ

ROSARY FOR THE YEAR OF SAINT PAUL - Ephesians 5

Poverty has various aspects: christological, apostolic, eschatological, sociological.  The essential, though not exclusive, point for us is christological.  We want to be poor in order to conform ourselves to Christ in our daily lives. Our poverty  is also apostolic, for we economize and sacrifice on behalf  of our brothers and sisters. Although this facet  is essential, it is only  consequential since, in the unlikely event  that the Institute should  acquire abundant assets for the apostolate, we would still live the virtue of poverty in full imitation of Christ

 (Const. # 53 commentary)

First Mystery - Imitate God by imitating Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2)
1 So be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Second Mystery - Avoid Impurity (Ephesians 5:3-5)
3 Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, 4 no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Third Mystery - Live in the light (Ephesians 5:8-14)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. 10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, 12 for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."

Fourth Mystery - Live Wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16)
15 Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, 16 making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.  17 Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Fifth Mystery - Give thanks always (Ephesians 5:19-20)
Addressing one another (in) psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Rosary #25 - Lent Begins

Lent begins… a true itinerary of conversion!

Mark 1:12-15

Pray for the intention of the General Assembly!

Let us promote a universal fraternity of communion and love This effort to pay a greater and more loving attention to God, to people, and to things, can become for us not only a true itinerary of conversion, especially during this liturgical season of Lent, but also an occasion for redemption. This is an occasion not only to be reached more intimately by the grace and by the holiness of God, but also to become involved more deeply with the mystery of redemptive instrumentality.

Guilana Spigone 2007

 

FIRST MYSTERY: The Gospel reminds us that Jesus, after being baptized in the River Jordan and impelled by the Holy Spirit who settled upon him and revealed him as the Christ, withdrew for forty days into the desert of Judea where he overcame the temptations of Satan.

We pray this Lent for docility to the Holy Spirit's movements in our hearts.

SECOND MYSTERY:  Following their Teacher and Lord, Christians also enter the Lenten desert in spirit in order to face with him the "fight against the spirit of evil."

We pray to immerse ourselves fully in the spirit of Lent his year and ask for the grace of conversion.

THIRD MYSTERY: The image of the desert is very eloquent metaphor of the human condition. The Book of Exodus recounts the experience of the people of Israel who, after leaving Egypt, wandered through the desert of Sinai for forty years before they reached the promise land.

We pray for strength and endurance in our times of mediocrity, darkness and temptation this Lent.

FOURTH MYSTERY:  During the long journey the Jews experienced the full force and persistence of the tempter, who urged them to lose trust in the Lord and turn back; but at the same time thanks to Moses' mediation, they learned to listen to God's voice calling them to be his holy people.

May this Lent give us the ears to hear God's call to holiness in our daily lives.

FIFTH MYSTERY:  In meditating on this biblical passage, we understand that to live life to the full in freedom, we must overcome the test that freedom entails, that is, temptation. Only if he is freed from the slavery of falsehood and sin can the human person, through the obedience of faith that opens him to the truth, find the full meaning of his life and attain peace, love, and joy.

May we listen and obey all that that the Lenten Scriptures reveal to us for our growth in freedom and holiness.

Meditations take from Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, March 5, 2006

Rosary #24 Ash Wednesday a Call to Conversion!

To convert means to let Jesus win our hearts (cf. Philippians 3:12) and "to return" with him to the Father.

ROSARY

FIRST MYSTERY: Convert and Believe!

Upon placing ashes on the faithful, the celebrant says: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" (cf. Genesis 3:19), or he repeats Jesus' exhortation: "Convert and believe in the Gospel" (cf. Mark 1:15). Both practices recall the truth of human existence: We are limited creatures, sinners constantly in need of penitence and conversion. How important it is in our day and age to listen and welcome such a call!

 

SECOND MYSTERY: Convert to the arms of God

When proclaiming his independence from God, the contemporary man becomes his own slave and often finds himself inconsolably alone. The invitation to convert is therefore a spur to return to the arms of God, caring and merciful Father, to trust him, to entrust oneself to him like adopted children, regenerated by his love.

 

THIRD MYSTERY: Conversion is grace

Teaching with wisdom the Church reiterates that conversion is above all a grace, a gift that opens the heart to God's infinite love. Through his grace he anticipates our desire for conversion and supports our efforts toward full adherence to his saving will. To convert means to let Jesus win our hearts (cf. Philippians 3:12) and "to return" with him to the Father.

 

FOURTH MYSTERY: Conversion is obedience

Conversion therefore means to give oneself to the teachings of Jesus and to obediently follow in his footprints. The words he uses to explain how to be his true disciples are enlightening. After affirming that "he who wants to save his own life will lose it; but he who will lose his own life for me and the Gospel will save it." He adds: "To what good can man earn the whole world, if he loses his own soul"? (Mark 8:35-36).

 

FIFTH MYSTERY: Conversion to the Cross

At first Jesus' invitation to take up our cross and follow him can seem hard and against our wishes -- even mortifying because of our desire for personal success. But if we look closer we discover that it is not like that: The saints are proof that in the Cross of Christ, in the love that is given renouncing self-possession, we find a profound serenity that is the foundation of generous devotion to our brothers, especially the poor and the needy.

 

Rosary #23 - Ephesians 4 - #2

ROSARY FOR THE YEAR OF SAINT PAUL - Ephesians 4 (#2)

On living with each other
  "In St. Paul's warning we must also find a call to examine our own

consciences today: not thinking we are better than others, but discovering

ourselves in the humility of Christ, in the humility of the Virgin Mary,

entering the obedience of the faith. In this way the great spaces of truth

and freedom in love open before us". Pope Benedict XVI – February 21 2009

First Mystery - Speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25, 29)
25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another… 29 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.


Second Mystery - Do not let anger take hold (Ephesians 4:26 - 27)
26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, 27 and do not leave room for the devil.


Third Mystery - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
30 And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.


Fourth Mystery - Purification of our hearts and actions (Ephesians 4:31)
31 All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.


Fifth Mystery - Live in compassion and mercy (Ephesians 4:32)
32 (And) be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Rosary #19 & Rosary 20 Holiness of Mary

Mary, All Holy

FIRST MYSTERY: Mary, "full of grace", has been recognized by the Church as "all holy and free from every stain of sin", "enriched from the first instant of her conception with the splendour of an entirely unique holiness" (Lumen gentium, n. 56).

SECOND MYSTERY:  The Council recalls that the Church Fathers alluded to this truth when they called Mary the "all-holy one", affirming at the same time that she was "fashioned as it were by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature" (Lumen gentium, n. 56).

THIRD MYSTERY:  Grace, understood in the sense of "sanctifying grace" which produces personal holiness, brought about the new creation in Mary, making her fully conformed to God's plan (Pope John Paul II,  May 22, 1996).

FOURTH MYSTERY:  …Indeed, she who was destined to become the Saviour's Mother had to have had a perfectly holy, completely stainless origin (Pope John Paul II, May 22, 1996).

FIFTH MYSTERY: "Today humanity, in all the radiance of her immaculate nobility, receives its ancient beauty. The shame of sin had darkened the splendour and attraction of human nature; but when the Mother of the Fair One par excellence is born, this nature regains in her person its ancient privileges and is fashioned according to a perfect model truly worthy of God.... The reform of our nature begins today and the aged world, subjected to a wholly divine transformation, receives the first fruits of the second creation" (St. Andrew of Crete, Serm. I on the Birth of Mary).

 

The Holiness of Mary

 Mary's pure and immaculate conception is thus seen as the beginning of the new creation. It is a question of a personal privilege granted to the woman chosen to be Christ's Mother, who ushers in the time of abundant grace willed by God for all humanity (Pope John Paul 11 – May 22 1996).

 

FIRST MYSTERY: [Gen 3:15]  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.

 

SECOND MYSTERY: [Luke 1:28] And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." Mary is called by her name, "favored one", full of grace. This is who she is, fashioned by grace as the object of God who chose her.

 

THIRD MYSTERY: [Luke 1:42] Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

 

FOURTH MYSTERY: [Eph 1:3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will,

 

FIFTH MYSTERY: [Col 1:15-16}From before time, Mary was prepared to be Mother of God. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Rosary #18 Lent 2009

Preparation for Lent

 

"He fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and afterwards he was hungry" (Mt 4,1-2)^[1]

 

First Mystery

“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry” (Mt 4,1-2). Like Moses, who fasted before receiving the tablets of the Law (cf. Ex 34,28) and Elijah’s fast before meeting the Lord on Mount Horeb (cf. 1 Kings 19,8), Jesus, too, through prayer and fasting, prepared Himself for the mission that lay before Him, marked at the start by a serious battle with the tempter.

 

During this mystery let us ask for the grace to prepare for Lent in a serious manner in preparation for the mission entrusted to us.

 

Second Mystery

Saint Basil observes that “fasting was ordained in Paradise,” and “the first commandment in this sense was delivered to Adam.” He thus concludes: “ ‘You shall not eat’ is a law of fasting and abstinence” (cf. Sermo de jejunio: PG 31, 163, 98). Since all of us are weighed down by sin and its consequences, fasting is proposed to us as an instrument to restore friendship with God.

 

In this mystery let us ask for the grace to fast from all that keeps us from growing in deep and profound friendship with God.

 

Third Mystery

In the New Testament, Jesus brings to light the profound motive for fasting, condemning the attitude of the Pharisees, who scrupulously observed the prescriptions of the law, but whose hearts were far from God. as the divine Master repeats elsewhere, is rather to do the will of the Heavenly Father, who “sees in secret, and will reward you” (Mt 6,18).

 

We pray for the spirit of fasting that opens us to the grace of serenity which derives from a joyous adherence to the will of our Heavenly Father.

 

Fourth Mystery

He Himself sets the example, answering Satan, at the end of the forty days spent in the desert that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4,4). The true fast is thus directed to eating the “true food,” which is to do the Father’s will (cf. Jn 4,34).

 

Let us ask the Lord for the grace to respond in love to the Father’s will by fasting from all negative behavior.

 

Fifth Mystery

“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself” (Sermo 43: PL 52, 320. 322).

 

Let us ask for the grace to live a true fast this lent and maturing in conformity with the poor and crucified Jesus.

 

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^[1] Pope Benedict XVI Lenten Message 2009