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Jesus
commands us: "put on all the armour of God" (Eph
6.11). And the most powerful weapon in that armoury is Rosary
Intercession. While praying the rosary,
along with Mother Mary we meditate on the life mysteries of
Jesus and intercede for the whole world. This will help us
defeat Satan who seeks to destroy the Church by creating disharmony
in families and leading God's children to sin.
There
are three ways of praying the rosary:
1. Before reciting each decade, a person cites one or more
intentions. For the fulfillment of these, everybody prays
together surrendering each decade.
2. Different people cite different intentions and pray for
the fulfillment of those, offering each decade.
3. Before each Hail Mary offering one intention and praying.
Even
if the prayer for a particular intention is not immediately
answered, we should not loose heart. In the parable of the
unjust judge (LK 15.1-8) and the friend who asks for bread
in the midnight (LK 11.5-13) the Lord is reminding us to pray
with perseverance. For some intentions, we will instant answers
from God; but for some others, constant prayer is necessary.
The
Lord has sanctified his church by allowing his mother to appear
to people in different parts of the world and by sending saints,
who were great evangelists, through centuries. In 1214, when
St. Dominic saw that his mission was not bearing much fruit
in France, he prayed to the Lord with tears. Answering his
prayer the Lord sent Mother Mary to him. She gave him the
rosary and said, "This is the powerful weapon against
Satan. Holy Trinity desires that you make use of it".
When St. Dominic started reciting the rosary along with the
faithful, France underwent a drastic change. The history says
millions of people were converted.
The
power of the rosary is that we meditate on the mysteries of
Christ together with the Holy Mother. If Eve, the mother of
all, was tempted by Satan, Mother Mary, the heavenly mother
of us, has succeeded him (Sir 40.1). "On entering the
house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt
down and paid him homage." (Mt 2: 11). The core of the
Christian spirituality is to see Jesus with the mother.
The
Lord God told the snake: "I will put enmity between you
and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He (Jesus)
will bruise your head and you will bruise his heel."(Gen
3.15). But, even if the head is crushed, the tail can survive
for a little while. If Satan bites your heel, don't be amazed
(The Lord has given him that right). But, pray to Jesus Christ
who can help you crush the snake's head.
The
core of the rosary is our meditation
on the salvific acts of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel
according to St. Luke (9.1-2) makes it clear that the Lord
has endowed total authority upon all Bishops and priests to
drive out demons and cure diseases "in my name".
It means they have to preach the kingdom of God by the power
of Jesus' birth, passion, and resurrection. And by reciting
the rosary, we receive Jesus' power. In fact, by the promise
"you will cast out demons in my name" (Mk 16.17),
the Lord has given authority over evil spirits even for the
ordinary believers. Hence, each time we relive his birth,
life, passion, resurrection, and ascension in the rosary,
Satan's head is being crushed.
The
authority of Jesus is ultimate. The Bible describes how Satan
tempted him. He took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him
all the kingdoms of the world in their splendour and glory.
"All these I will give you", Satan said, "if
you will fall down and worship me" (Mt 4.8-9). Jesus
replied, "Go away Satan…Worship the Lord your God
and serve only him." Finally, when Jesus appeared to
his disciples after the resurrection, he said, "All authority
in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Mt 28.18).
The
war against the satanic forces conquered by Jesus will go
on till the end of the world. The rosary is an important weapon
in this war. By praying it, we follow what St. Peter asked
us to do, "Be sober, be vigilant; for like a roaring
lion, your adversary, the devil prowls around, looking for
someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith…"
(I Pet 5: 8-9). All the families and churches reciting rosary
will be kept in the unity and love of God.
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