Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Our Lady of the Rosary (7th October, 2016) on the Gospel and the
Memorial
Gal 3:7-14;
Ps 110:1-6. (R. v.5);
Lk 11:15-26.
The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is also known as
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. It was instituted by Pope Saint Pius V.[1]
This Feast was formerly sometimes known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. It
commemorates the decisive victory of the combined Christian fleet on 7th
October, 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, defeating an Ottoman fleet off western
Greece.[2]
Pope Saint Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, who was invoked on the day of the battle through a campaign to
pray the Rosary throughout Europe.[3]
Topic: Celebrating our mother.
In today’s gospel, some people accused Jesus of casting out
demons by Beelzebul. Others demanded a sign from heaven as a test. Jesus said to
them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls
on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom
stand?” He also questioned, “Now if I
cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out?”
Certainly, today’s feast might upset some just because it is an
honour Mary. Some are not comfortable whenever the name of Mary is mentioned. Reasons
although unjustifiable abound.
This woman some honour whereas others attack is indisputably the
mother of Jesus Christ we worship as our God, cf. Acts 1:14. No evidence in the bible that Jesus ever disobeyed or disrespected
her. Instead, the contrary abounds, cf. Lk
2:51; Jn 2:3-9. And those who followed Jesus before us gave her her rightful
place and honoured her, cf. Jn 19:27; Acts
1:14; Rom 16:6.
We do respect and honour our biological parents as well as other
parents but especially parents of the people who mean so much to us. We claim that
Jesus is our God but whenever the name of His mother is mentioned some become restless.
Do we suddenly lose the sense of right judgement when it comes to God’s, cf. Matt 16:3? If one truly believes in Jesus
Christ, surely he/she ought to respect and honour His mother. And honouring Mary
is both an act of obedience to God as well as an escape from capital punishment,
cf. Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16; Matt 15:4; Mk
7:10; Eph 6:2.
Before we conclude, in line with the question Jesus asked those
who accused Him, if we say and do all we do to the mother of Jesus, what about our
own mothers? Casting aspersions on the mother of Jesus is not a sign of being His
disciple. We ought to humble ourselves and follow the examples of Jesus as well
as those who followed Him before us. Her intercession is the most powerful.
Bible Reading: Jn 2:1-11.
Thought for today: Mary demands just total obedience to God, cf. Jn 2:5.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, assist us to honour
all as we ought especially your holy mother – Amen.
Our Lady of the Rosary – Pray for us.
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