Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!" -John 19:15 Public humiliation is the hardest and most painful thing any human being can endure. But public humiliation by a lover – a break-up, a failed marriage proposal, the exposure of infidelity - has a … Continue reading Rosary Reflections – The 3rd Sorrowful Mystery
“ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let … Continue reading Rosary Reflections – The First Sorrowful Mystery
"Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. John 19:1 Slap-slap slap go my running shoes on the footpath. Breathing in-breathing out, slap-slap slap in a jagged samba beat that I’ve hated since I was a kid. I hate running. In primary school, I was the slow kid coming last in the races, while everyone else had to … Continue reading Rosary Reflections – The Second Sorrowful Mystery
He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let … Continue reading To Persevere Like Christ. – The First Sorrowful Mystery
“And he said to them, 'How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?'"Luke 2:49 Well isn’t this every mother’s favourite decade?Mary lost Jesus.Let that swim in your head.Mary, Mother of God, lost Jesus.Oops.I lost my little girl in a mall on Boxing Day once, … Continue reading To Seek Him Relentlessly – The Fifth Joyful Mystery.
“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:35 Jesus. God made man, a child, presented in a temple followed by a prophesy … Continue reading The Deep Joy In the Suffering of Christ – The Fourth Joyful Mystery.
"And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:6-7 I remember giving birth to my first child. I had … Continue reading Keeping Our Eyes On Christ. – The Third Joyful Mystery.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:39-40 Newly pregnant herself with God Incarnate, Mary makes the long journey to be by her elderly cousin Elizabeth’s side as Elizabeth prepares to give birth to John … Continue reading The call to Magnify. – The Second Joyful Mystery.
"And he came to her and said, 'Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!'But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:28-29 Simplicity and trust in God are lessons that come to mind when I meditate on the Annunciation. Mary … Continue reading When the Ordinary Meets the Extraordinary. – The First Joyful Mystery.
In a rich conversation about the importance of Pope St John Paul II’s leadership in promoting women and what he called “the Culture of Life,” a Christian friend told me how much the Pope’s moral clarity, his devotion to Jesus Christ and his life of prayer and action meant to her. As much as she … Continue reading The Rosary and the Praying Body
