Gabriel's Message

Embarking on this series about the Rosary, I begin with the first of the Joyful Mysteries.

Don't forget that the word "Mystery" is another word for Truth.

The Annunciation

When I think of the Annunciation, I think of beginnings. When I think of beginnings, I think of the word, small. When I think of the word small, I think of the word, conception. When I think of the word conception, I think of more small things, like a seed, a sapling, a sprout.

When I ponder the Annunciation, I also think about the Angel Gabriel. And that leads me to think about God’s perfect will being imparted to me. I think about my guardian angel, who I named, Ecclesiastes. I think of angels all around us. I think of how we seldom think of them.

I think of how seldom we think of our Blessed Mother, and how she had everything to do with Jesus. I think of how she had everything to do with our ability to say “YES” to God. If it weren’t for Gabriel, if it weren’t for Mary, if it weren’t for Jesus as a tiny baby, there wouldn’t be us as children of God.

In praying the Rosary, we begin with reciting making the sign of the cross: "In the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen." Then we recite the Apostles’ Creed. And though, this a formal statement of belief, we say it with our hearts. It is prayer. It sets the tone for communication with Our Lord. 

Then we pray an Our Father, or for my Protestant friends, The Lord’s Prayer.

If only our separated brethren understood that we share all things in common.

We are Christocentric.

Following is the recitation of three Hail Mary’s for an increase in faith, hope, and love.

I have added for my own personal contemplation that these three efficacious Hail Mary’s are for Penance! Penance! Penance!

Then to begin the Joyful Mysteries, as we start with the Annunciation, we call to mind the Angel Gabriel. How he said to our humble Mary, “Hail! Full of grace; the Lord is with you!”

Following is a Susan thought for each bead of the decade of the Annunciation as I worship Jesus:

“If you but had faith the size of a mustard seed . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“Don’t despise the small things . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“Do small things with great love . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“The widow’s mite . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“Narrow is the gate . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“If you would become as little children . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“Humble yourselves, and you will be exalted . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“The Lord has looked upon his handmaid . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“The Lord has exalted the lowly, and brought down the mighty . . .” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

“Let it be done to me according to your word.” Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

[tweet "Full of grace=room for nothing else. Meditation on the #Rosary by @SusanSwims8"]

By Alanzon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Gabriel told Mary to not be afraid, for she had found favor with God.

For how can we be afraid, if we know that God loves us?

Full of grace.

If something is full, than it means room for nothing else. 

Right?!

Full of grace.

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the Child to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God.”

So when I think of the Angel Gabriel, I will myself to be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Oh St. Gabriel, help us hear God’s message.

When I think of the Baby Jesus, I pray for expectant mothers and for an end to abortion.

When I think of our Blessed Mother as a young teenager, I’m impressed at her courage.

I’m glad she intercedes for me.

And like a good mother, she wants to see me succeed, as a child of God.

Like I want to see my children succeed.

I want them to know they’re loved.

I want them to give more than they take.

I want them to stay away from what can harm their souls.

I want them to know Jesus.

What humility! That God, the Creator of the Universe, would deign to become a seed in a mother’s womb is really astounding.

I think He did that so we would see.

See the Truth of God as fully human yet fully Divine.

And if God comes down to earth, so small, as we do . . .

Then we too will rise with Him in eternity.

If only we too practice humility and say "yes," as Mary did.

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Amen.

Copyright 2017 Susan Anderson