WITH MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS

PRAYER MOMENT                      

Tuesday 7 October 2014, Our Lady of the Rosary.

WITH MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “With one heart all these joined constantly in payer, together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:12-14)

Reflection. It is an uncomfortable feast today – Christians celebrating a victory over Islam in 1571 – but we can quickly pass over its origins which were highly influenced by the culture and politics of the charged atmosphere in sixteenth century Europe. The core of the feast that has come down to us is to celebrate “Mary with” the disciples after the Ascension. She is there praying with them in the upper room, pondering with them, “what next?” This bunch of anxious people knew they had a mission but were too frightened to think about it. Mary was there with them in their questioning and their waiting. And so it has been ever since, up to this day, the first full working day of the Synod in Rome where another group of disciples are gathered “with Mary” to discern and see where the Spirit of God is leading the Church in her desire to encourage and strengthen the family.

Prayer. Hail Mary, full of grac; the Lord is with you and blessed are you among women Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.   Amen..  

David Harold-Barry SJ