Our Lady of the Rosary

Title

Our Lady Just Says “Yes”

Outline

Think about what we say about people

We talk about the work that they do

We talk about their significant accomplishments

We may talk about the accomplishments of their family if they can be attributed to the influence of the parents

But our Lady is different from all this, for God turns things upside down

We are not told about what she has accomplished on her own

She is indeed “the mother of my Lord,” but she did not do that on her own or by her strength - she just said “Yes”

It is true that she went into the hill country of Judea and that entailed some risk and effort, but it was to visit a relative, to see for herself the fulfillment of Gabriel’s message. No one noticed her on the way.

Indeed in Matthew what we learn about Jesus’ birth is that the child is “of the Holy Spirit” and that Joseph “took her into his house.” Her action is not stated until she “brings forth” her firstborn.

We are told about what God has done in and for her

He is choosing Jerusalem, he is getting many nations to “join themselves to the Lord,” he is dwelling “among you.” And in this the daughter of Zion is both individual (Mary) and collective (God’s widened people).

He is reversing the values of humanity: he has dispersed the arrogant, thrown down rulers, sent the rich away empty - and he will do that to those in our culture.

And he is filling the hungry, lifting up the lowly, remembering his mercy and his promise - not to Mary, but to “our fathers” - and she was the hungry, the lowly, but “the Lord has done great things for me.” And she was as surprised as anyone else, for she did not expect it, she just said, “Yes” to Gabriel.

That is why we are to identify with Mary and identify her with us.

The well known Mary brought up in the Temple of the Protevangelium Jakobi is not found here. That is why I am uncomfortable with its use particularly in the Orthodox rosaries.

Nor are people with great qualifications found here, which is why the saints with titles and positions in society are noted for forsaking them. They got down so that God could raise them up and it would be God and not them.

No, we identify Our Lady of the Rosary with us to the extent that our contribution is a “yes.” The rest of the rosary except for the birth (and to an extent there as well) she is an observer, a humble servant looking in wonder at what God is doing.

Rejoice my Sisters, in your weaknesses and humble positions and when you know no one important. For when you embrace that position you have Mary’s position and from that position you see what God is doing.

Readings

First Reading

The New American Bible Chapter 2

14 Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.

15 Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

16 The LORD will possess Judah as his portion of the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem.

17 Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD! for he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

Psalm

The New American Bible Chapter 1

46 And Mary said: †

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;

behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

49 The Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is from age to age

to those who fear him.

51 He has shown might with his arm,

dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones

but lifted up the lowly.

53 The hungry he has filled with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped Israel his servant,

remembering his mercy,

55 according to his promise to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

GOSPEL

The New American Bible Chapter 1

39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,

40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,

42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord † should come to me?

44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

45 Blessed are you who believed † that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

46 And Mary said: †

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 10-7-2023: Our Lady of the Rosary

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2023 | MEMORIAL

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

From Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading Baruch 4:5–12, 27–29

Response Psalm 69:34

Psalm Psalm 69:33–37

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:25

Gospel Luke 10:17–24

Zech 2:1-17 (2:10-13)

Luke 1:46-55

Luke 1:39-47