The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power
'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."
REFLECTION
"I have given you the power
'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you."
October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary.
Today, we celebrate the naval victory of Europe in 1571 over the Ottoman Turkish fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in the Ionian Sea off Greece. It was known for several centuries by the alternate title of “Our Lady of Victory". This battle saved the Christian West from defeat at the hands of the Muslims.
Pope St. Pius V attributed this miraculous 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. "Pray The Rosary", said Saint Pope Pius V, "to win the battle they impose to us."
During the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage to Mexico we visited beautiful churches. The one that literally took my breath was the Capilla del Rosario or Chapel of the Rosary attached to the San Domingo Iglesia or St Dominic Church in the city of Puebla, Puebla, Mexico. The Chapel was built between 1650 and 1690.
It featured New Spanish baroque architecture with ornate sculptures, oil paintings, and 24 carat gold leaf domes, arches and moldings. Aztec faces with plumed hats adorned the picture frames.
It is described as a "gilded triumph to the catholic faith". Built and dedicated in the 17th century to the Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary), the beauty of the Chapel is a reminder of Heaven to me: all bright and joyful, everyone praising our God.
Why the devotion to the Rosary?
The tempter never sleeps and is always looking for someone to devour. There are so many snares to trap the soul, that alone we are sure to lose the battle. We are too weak; however, armed with heavenly weapons such as prayers, especially Mary's Rosary, we can complete the race of life and make it to heaven. Our rosaries should be freely prayed for ourselves, family and others. Our Mother, Mother of God, delivers all our prayers to her Son and we all know how influential a mother's love can be.
History connects St Dominic with being taught the Rosary by Mother Mary in the 13th century when he was unable to convert the Albigensian heretics. They rejected the doctrine of the Incarnation. This early version of the Rosary was often called "Our Lady's Psalter" corresponding to the 150 Psalms.
Remember:
1. Mary can help us get closer to her Son. She is a powerful intercessor before Jesus.
2. We are promised many graces and indulgences if we pray the Rosary.
3. We will be victorious in spiritual and worldly battles.
4. Great way to reflect on the Gospel mysteries and learn how God is calling us to live
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