Reflection is amazing, especially when you have time to kill in the car, so you whip out your rosary beads. Sometimes I have to remind myself, even at 40, to reflect on each mystery, not just recite the words. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone.
I was driving to the doctor on Monday, and began my rosary. "C'mon, self, don't just drive and mumble your prayers,,think about the mysteries,,,reflect,,," Interesting fruit comes of these kinds of promptings :). I love the parallels and lessons.
Obviously mothers have an affinity for the BVM. She's a mother; we're mothers. She loves her boy and feels his pain; we'd gladly experience our children's sufferings for them if we could. The Joyful Mysteries are particularly Marian, and relate-able to us as human mothers:
-The first Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation -
Mary's news is beautiful, wonderful, and disconcerting, but she trusts God. So, we get our news, especially for the first baby, and we know our lives will change, and we wonder if we're ready for this and we have to adjust our thinking about everything and sometimes THAT's disconcerting, but don't we have this young, beautiful, grace-filled, marvelous example,,our own Mother in Heaven, to show us that we trust God! "I am the handmaiden of the Lord,," yes, Father, be it done unto me according to Thy will..
-The second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation -
Our Lady was sent to her cousin Elizabeth, and what affirmation it must have been of God's goodness and the Truth of what was happening, to hear her say "how is it that the mother of my Lord has come to see me?".
-The third Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Our Lord -
Love, just,,love,,
-The fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple-
We get these gifts, and then we are so joyful, and we give them to God, in an act of utter faith that He will guide their lives and their lives are His. This parallel with baptism, where our children are claimed for Christ, is magnificent.
-The fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus at the Temple-
Jesus reminds his parents, "did you not know I would be at the house of my Father?" Our babies are "little Jesus-es". They are not ours. They belong to their Father.
Hail Mary, let me value my children as you valued you Most Precious Son. Holy Mary, pray for me as I teach them His ways, so that they, claimed for Him, will return to Him in eternal life. I love you.
