So let us abide in Christ and let Christ be formed in us.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ.” The prayer of the rosary helps us to reflect on the mysteries of Christ. “This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” (CCC 2708)

When we contemplate these mysteries we fix our gaze of faith on Jesus. St. John Vianney reflected that, “I look at him and he looks at me” (CCC 2715). Let us sit at the school of Mary and contemplate the beauty of the face of Christ and experience the depths of his love (Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pauline Books & Media, Boston, p. 8). “To recite the Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ (JPII, p. 10). The apostle John wrote in his letter, “Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child (1 Jn. 5:1). In John’s gospel Jesus from the cross says to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home (John 19:26-27).

Let us say with the cousin of Mary and the mother of John the Baptist, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). For truly all generations will call her blessed and that includes us.

Ave Maria!

Praise be Jesus Christ!

Resources:

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994.

Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pauline Books & Media, Boston.

All Bible quotations from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2006.