Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
(Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 10:38-42)
Today’s Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary recalls the victory
of European naval forces over the Turkish fleet in 1571. Pope Saint Pius V called on Europe to pray
the rosary in hope of stopping the Muslim incursion in Europe. The prayer was granted with the combined European
forces decisively defeating the Turkish navy at the Battle of Lepanto.
Prayer is effective.
The first reading demonstrates how even the Ninevites, Israel’s antagonists,
secure the Lord’s favor through prayer and fasting. The gospel too hints of the power of
prayer. Martha goes to Jesus with her
complaint that Mary should be helping her.
The Lord answers her petition although not in the way Martha
imagined. He explains that Mary helping
her is not needed so much as her joining Mary in listening to him.
The rosary is a tedious prayer which Catholics do not pray as
much as they used to. Nevertheless, it does
focus the mind and heart on Jesus and his Mother. It might be done while exercising or working to
fend off tedium. Often during the day we
perform mindless tasks which might be combined with effective prayer forms such
as the rosary.
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