Memorial – Our Rosary

November 21, 2020November 15, 2020

Presentation of our Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we’re celebrating the day when Joachim and Anna presented their daughter, Mary, in the temple. This isn’t documented in the Bible, but instead is referred to in the Protoevangelium of James and other texts of the time.

For me, honestly, the documentation of this event isn’t critical, because almost everything which happened at that time isn’t documented. Millions of people lived lives that we’ll never know about.

But I like the story because it points to a continuity of lives before and after Jesus. He didn’t pop out of nowhere, he was born of the Virgin.

October 7, 2020September 20, 2020

Our Lady of the Rosary

What an amazing celebration we have today! This feast was begun in the 16th century and has changed a bit with various popes, but here’s the basic message:

With the help of Mary and our Son, we can and will emerge victorious.

From the snares of the devil, from sin, even from a global pandemic.

Of course, we might have to be thinking big picture – including the next life along with this one.

June 20, 2020June 9, 2020

Forgive us our sins

Ever notice how many of the Rosary prayers are plural, rather than singular?

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name….
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

I have to confess that I’ve always thought of this as me talking about myself, along with others who are also talking about themselves. But there may be a different way.

June 1, 2020May 17, 2020

Mary, Mother of the Church

This is a new celebration, instituted by Pope Francis in 2019. It comes Monday during the week of Pentecost.

How appropriate, as Pentecost was the birthday of the Church!

I love that we now recognize the intimate relationship between Our Mother and The Church. The actual stories seem to have been lost in the mists of time, other than Mary’s appearance in Revelation.

November 21, 2019October 24, 2019

Presentation of Mary

We celebrate the presentation of Jesus as a newborn in January, but here we have the wonderful opportunity to reflect on His mother’s birth.

November 21st is the celebration of when Anne and Joachim’s presentation of their newborn daughter Mary to the Lord. She was created as the future Temple of the Lord.

What happened at this point? Well, we have no documentation – we barely know her parents’ names.