If I'm not off hiding somewhere with a good book, chances are I'm chasing a toddler or a Jack Russell (or sleeping, because every mom can use a nap!). I found Prince Charming and married him, and now we enjoy the idiosyncrasies of life in an old farmhouse. Oh yeah, and we root for the Buckeyes. Every time.
Catholic Carnival 205: The Christmas Rosary
As I write this, it's the sixth day of Christmas. One of the most beautiful Catholic traditions is the Christmas season...it's more than just the 25th of December! When you think about the enormity of what we're celebrating, it makes sense that we spend more than just a day on it. In our house, the gift giving continues through mid-January, though admittedly not just because we're celebrating the Christmas season. Our oldest daughter was born on the eighth day of Christmas and the feast of Mary, Mother of God, January 1. Then there's my birthday, on the 10th, which falls around Epiphany or the Baptism of Jesus.
This week, we have a special gift for each of you, in addition to the wonderful posts that you have come to expect each week from the Catholic Carnival. James Hahn, author of Rosary Meditations for Real Life (what? you haven't read it? GO! NOW!) and webmaster of Real Life Rosary and Real Life Rosary Weblog, has agreed to let me use some of his meditations for this week's Carnival. He has Christmas meditations for the sorrowful mysteries (link opens PDF) and a whole page of other reflections, but for today's Carnival, I wanted to use his first-person reflections, from Mary's point-of-view, on the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary, which are included in his book.
Easter and Christmas are so wonderfully intertwined, and I think you'll appreciate that even more as we travel together through the Glorious Mysteries, from Mary's viewpoint.
All of the reflections included in this Catholic Carnival are copyright 2003, 2006, 2007, by James M. Hahn, from his book Rosary Meditations for Real Life. For more information, visit his website, Real Life Rosary.
The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
I knew in my heart that God had something special planned for his people. I knew that I would see my Son again one day but this surpassed all my expectations. When Mary Magdalene arrived at my door out of breath and with an otherworldly glow about her, I knew something had happened. When she told me that she had spoken to Jesus, that He was alive, I fell to my knees and praised God.
It was as if a thousand tiny daggers were removed from my heart in an instant. That very evening Jesus visited me. We said nothing. We simply embraced each other and sat together for a while watching the sun set. He said that He had others to visit and that He must go. He gave me a kiss on the cheek like He always did since the time when He was a little boy, and then vanished into the cool night air. I sat there recalling the events of the past thirty-three years. A shooting star streaked across the sky. I thought of the Magi.
- Catherine's First Christmas Mass gives you a glimpse of the ultimate Christmas blessing.
- Real Life is a consideration of the "complicated, messy, and full of friction" moments, as well as the "glorious or cozy moments worth celebrating."
- The Apostles: A Review gives us a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI's book.
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
I saw Jesus more often after His resurrection than I had before. Many people visited me hoping to find Him at home. John had been staying with me lately, helping with chores mostly. He was always trying to persuade me to go listen to Jesus but I didn't want to bother Him.
On the day it happened, through the grace of God, John had finally worn me down. I realized later that John wanted me to go because Jesus was speaking on Mount Olivet, the same place John had seen Him suffering before His crucifixion.
When we arrived, there was an uneasy feeling about the crowd. They were pressing Jesus and asking if now was the time when He would restore Jerusalem to Israel. Those poor men were still thinking as men think and not as God thinks. He told them plainly that it was not for them to know the plans of the Father but to trust God in all things. He informed them once again that He must leave them so that He could send the Advocate.
With that, He stretched out His hands and blessed us. When we lifted our heads, we saw Him rise slowly above the crowd. The entire crowd watched with their heads tilted back in a most uncomfortable position. Then, all at once, they were released from their trancelike state. John heard some people mentioning my name so we quietly left the crowd and proceeded to John's home.
- Catholic Culture: Worldview for Catholics explores just what Catholic culture is.
- Your God's Cool Too isn't exactly a Catholic submission, but it does present a viewpoint that every reader of this carnival should consider. And pray for.
- The Unexpected Christmas is a pastor's homily keeping a choir director sane through the Christmas stress.
- New Years Indulgences gives you all the information you need on special plenary indulgences for December 31st and January 1st.
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
We had been gathering in an upper room in Jerusalem. It was the same room in which Jesus had established the Father's new covenant and washed His disciples' feet. When the feast of Pentecost was at hand, we were gathered there praying as we often did. A strange howling sound could be heard, but no one knew where it was coming from. It became louder and louder as we continued to pray. I was sitting on a chair in the midst of the disciples of Jesus with John at my feet.
The sound was deafening, like the sand storms of the desert, yet the air in the room was perfectly still. In an instant a large glowing mass was hovering over our heads. It appeared to pulse and intensify with our prayers. As we continued praying, it began to change colors. It changed from a cool bluish tint to a fiery red. It then divided itself and the individual pieces came to rest above each of us. The sound of the wind continued and we continued praying. Then, with a flash, each individual ball of fire was dropped onto the person it was hovering above. No one was hurt, everyone was at peace, and there was perfect silence.
- The Power of God's Grace in Jesus Christ reflects on the Mass readings from Christmas Midnight Mass.
- Fruitcake! makes you wonder...does everyone love fruitcake?
- Planned Parenthood Abortion Funding Requests in Obama Memo Top $4.6 Billion tells us all about how Planned Parenthood sends Barry their Christmas list.
- 2009, One Month at a Time is a look at New Years resolutions.
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary
Many of the apostles had gathered at John's home when they heard that I was nearing the end. They all gathered around me like they had on that morning of Pentecost. Mary Magdalene had been taking care of me for quite some time. I told them all that I loved them as if they were my own children and asked them to pray for me since my time was at hand.
Everyone came close to the bed and began to pray over me. Again I heard the sound of rushing wind, but no one else seemed to hear it. They continued to pray. Then, as if in a dream, Jesus appeared in the doorway. He smiled at me and walked over to the side of the bed and took my hand. He knelt down and kissed my hand and then my cheek, as He had so many times before. He stood again and simply said, "Follow me."
When I began to get up, all the people gathered there took a step back in amazement. Mary had tears in her eyes. Peter hugged John like a son and they all followed me out to the hillside. I gave them all a motherly embrace, and, with that, I felt myself lifted up. I watched the men and women below me looking up as children do when admiring their mothers. My heart was moved with pity for them. I promised myself to spend eternity praying for all my adopted children.
- Love and Freedom examines the real meaning of love and how it both confines and frees us at the same time.
- What is Church? is a glimpse, through the eyes of a daughter who overslept and had to attend services at a Protestant church, of just what's missing.
- The Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs, and Our Innocents Today looks at the significance of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, including how it is similar to what is happening in our culture today and what we can do to help put an end to the massacre of the innocents.
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Crowning of Mary
Many paintings have been created to capture this moment of beauty, but earthly words cannot describe that which is heavenly. My crown is made up of my adopted children, with the prize jewel being my Son. They and He are what make me Queen of Heaven and Earth. All glory goes to God for what He has done for me. I will always sit obediently at the right hand of my Son and intercede for any of His brothers or sisters who ask me to do so. By the grace of God I was permitted to bring Grace into the world. Now as the Heavenly Queen, I lovingly distribute all the graces that come from my Son.
- My Conversion/Reversion is a "while time lasts" post, which Adoro plans to take offline and rewrite. (She promised to keep it live for a few days, so you would have a chance to read it!)
- Sarah's Story is a mother giving you a glimpse of the miracle of life and the blessing of her joy.
- A Few of My Favorite Things gives you a tour of my favorite rosaries, complete with their stories.
If you would like to learn more about the Catholic Carnival, you’ll find all the information here. There’s a submission form that’s easy to use, and a Google group you can join to get weekly reminders. If you have found yourself submitting a few times, won’t you consider going one step further and trying your hand at hosting? All you have to do is pick your date and email Jay.
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