VISITATION
INTRODUCTION
The title of my reflection for today - December 21st - is “Visitation”.
That’s
a theme in today’s two readings: Song of Songs 2 8-14; Luke 1: 39-45
Visitation.
Question:
What do you reflect upon when you say the second joyful mystery of the rosary –
which is: The Visitation.
TO
UNDERSTAND THAT QUESTION
To
understand what I mean by that question, let me go this way.
When
John Paul II came up with his push for 5 more mysteries of the Rosary, I said
to myself, “Oh no!”
Then
in time I got used to how to handle these 5 new mysteries to reflect upon while
saying the rosary.
I
see the rosary the same as Muslims see a prayer rug. I take it out to tell
myself - and others – that I am now
going to pray.
5
LIGHT BEARING MYSTERIES
When
I say the 5 light bearing mysteries I go the following way some times.
For
the first mystery: the baptism of Jesus I’ll think of 10 people whom I baptized - one for each Hail Mary – saying a prayer for them.
For
the second mystery, Cana, I think of 10 people I married.
For
the third mystery: preaching or proclamation I say prayers for 10 preachers that
day - at weddings, funerals, daily Mass,
etc. for places – churches and retreat houses, etc.
So
too that all people like Jesus move more and more towards Transfiguration –
that 4th Luminous Mystery.
And
the 5th Mystery – The Eucharist – that Jesus feeds us all with his
being – and all Christians move back to the true presence of Christ – in the Bread
– especially family members by name that they come back to Mass.
THE
VISITATION
Okay,
so that’s how I do the rosary – for all 20 mysteries.
I
move it back and forth from Jesus and Mary to us – to me – and in that way the
rosary becomes real for me.
So,
for this second joyful mystery – the Visitation – the theme in today’s gospel,
I’ll think of 10 great visits in my life – or 10 important visits people have
or I’ve seen.
People
getting home for Christmas.
People
visiting neighbor in the hospital, the nursing home, the funeral home.
Lovers
meeting - rushing to be with each other
as we hear in today’s first reading – from The Song of Songs – read at many a
wedding. It’s not always 1st
Corinthians Love is patient, love is kind ….
Or
praying people will come back home to each other - that family members will visit each other -
talk to each other…. phones, skype, in person, e-mail, text…. Visits …. Visitation.
CONCLUSION
Life
is mystery – mysteries – joyful, sorrowful, glorious, light giving - but not always.
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