My parish priest recently showed me a great way to explain why we, as catholics, ask for the intercession of Mary and the saints. Jesus in fact did this! He spoke with the dead, that's the transfiguration! The verse is Matt. 17:1 (Matt 17:1-4 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with) and there's a great way to remember this. Now, it's easier to see with a picture, so bear with me as I try to explain it. 7 is the number to remember in the bible and represents Jesus, so first remember 7. Now, the transfiguration was when 2 guys, Elijah and Moses spoke with Jesus from heaven. So you have one guy on each side of Jesus (1 7 1) which when written out you can see how it makes an M to remember Matt or you can also make it to represent Mary, who we ask to intercede for us often. In the Bible Jesus talks to dead people, in essence, therefore, we can too. Now, why do we also ask for Mary's intercession to frequently? Well, she was obviously special, she carried Jesus in her womb, God chose her to be the mother of Christ, they literally shared everything for 9 months while Christ grew within her. So we ask Mary's intercession because she knew Christ so well and He will listen to His mother, so why wouldn't we. Mary is beautiful! And it's not like we are worshipping her as many would say, but rather we are seeking her help. I read once, and often say, Mary will draw us close to the Sacred Heart of her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, which is where our true home is. Which is why we pray the rosary.
Today is Tuesday which means we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries. There are 5 mysteries within the Sorrowful mysteries.
1. Agony in the Garden
2. Scourging of the side of Christ
3. The Crowning of Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion
http://www.rosary-center.org/sorrow.htm
-The Agony in the Garden Luke 22:44-45 "In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them exhausted with grief"
What great pain Jesus suffered through this agony in the garden. He was in such agony in prayer, knowing what was coming, but also He had only asked 1 hour of time for prayer of His disciples and they could not give that one hour, for they fell asleep. I want to challenge you to spend one hour a day in prayer. If you can, make it one continuous hour, but if your day does not allow, spread it out throughout the day, but make time for Jesus in prayer.
-The Scourging"The chief priests with the elders and the scribes held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, had Jesus scourged and handed him over to be crucified." (Mk 15:1-16) The physical suffering Christ went through with the the scourging is obvious. This is just one of the numerous times His blood is shed for the salvation of our souls. Blood and water poured out of His side for this!
-The Crowning with Thorns"They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mt 27:27-31)
This shows great suffering. Humiliation first off, and physical pain as well. Imagine being stripped nude in front of a community, being given a crown made thorns that is placed on your head, causing blood to run down your face that begins to mix with sweat and drip into your eyes for you are unable to wipe your face. The great mockery as well. So, when you have been mocked at school for one reason or another, or any other place remember the crowning with thorns and the great pain Christ suffered, remember He was mocked and unite your suffering to His.
-The Carrying of the Cross "Jesus, weak from being beaten, was unable to carry His cross to Golgotha alone. Simon, a Cyrenian, helped him." (Mk 15:20-22)
How weak our Lord was! He suffered so greatly for us, and we're not finished yet. Christ fell three times and was mocked the entire time Simon helped him to carry His cross. This is one way to show why friendship is so important in our earthly lives, Christ, first of all had His disciples always with him, helping him, but even as He carried His cross He had the assistance of another because He was physically too weak to carry His cross, so we must make Christ our strength for we too are too weak to carry our cross.
-The Crucifixion "When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Lk 23:33-46)
Our Lord knew what He was doing on the Cross. What great love He has for us, that He would die and suffer so severely in order to give us eternal life! There is also found,during the time of the crucifixion, another reason to turn to our Blessed Mother Mary, seeking her intercession. "Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother." Jesus says this to Mary. He cared so dearly for His Mother, but He also tells us Mary is the Mother of us, His people. Which is why we seek her intercession.
To conclude: Keep praying. Never give up. Seek the intercession of Mary and the saints. Challenge: work at building your prayer life to spending a full hour with Jesus each day, just like He asked of His disciples in the first sorrowful mystery. Dear children of God, keep pressing on!
God bless!
In Jesus&Mary,
amber
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