October 14 - The Living Rosary and Contemplation
The Living Rosary can lead to real contemplation. In each Mystery of Our Lord, there are people, words and actions. So one is invited to think about who these people are and what role they play in the history of salvation. It is about listening to the words, trying to carefully specify in our mind the actions performed for our salvation and thus make the Mystery present in our minds, so that it is truly beneficial for us, for our contemplation. It is about contemplating the actors of our salvation, the words which are spoken about it and which deserve that we keep them present in our mind for some time.
By drawing inspiration from what is happening within us, it is possible to embark on this path of contemplation. Indeed, if we have a project, if we are upset or hurt during a meeting or if we have some satisfaction with our self-esteem, it is natural that these feelings come back to our mind. I represent to myself, without effort, the people who can come to my aid to carry out a project, those who can put an obstacle or oppose me with difficulties, and those who esteem me or who can encourage me or address me flattering and delicate compliments.
Depending on how much pain or encouragement I receive from it, my heart rejoices or becomes irritated, bowing to some with friendship, or turning away from others out of spite or even evoking a feeling of revenge. This type of meditation or contemplation, which everyone can enter into, concerns earthly realities. However, it may also be applied to the things of Heaven, to the Mysteries of Mary and of Jesus. We will contemplate in the manner of St. Ignatius and Saint Dominic and, like them, filling ourselves with a love for the virtues of Jesus and of horror for the vices and defects that oppose this. Let us no longer claim that this is difficult. This exercise is within the reach of the simplest. Nature has trained us to do so for a long time already and grace carries us there unceasingly. It is not necessary for you to have acquired a sublime degree of perfection; it is enough to be a human being and a Christian. (Pauline Jaricot, The Living Rosary, op. Cit., p. 97).
If we take the example of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the Temple, it may be interesting to direct our attention to the place where this Mystery took place. Here, we contemplate Jesus among the Doctors of the Law, whom He enlightens with his words in the midst of the people who listen to him with admiration. From his lips flow wisdom and meekness; its beauty is in God living among human beings. Joseph and Mary are saddened; they lost their young boy three days ago. What joy, when they find him! We see the here the change in the thoughts, feelings and affections in the hearts of Joseph and Mary. The people who were worried with them will also be reassured. Here we must also consider and meditate what they heard, as well as the very words and the actions that they speak and effect. What do Joseph, Mary, and Jesus say? Mary asks him, in the form of a tender complaint or a veiled reproach, why have you done this to us? Jesus answers: Do you not know that I must be fully what my Father wants of me? Joseph and Mary remain silent. They have undoubtedly understood. This silence also deserves some consideration; a silence to contemplate God Our Father, what he expects from Jesus and from each of us in relation to the history of the salvation of each one, in relation to the salvation of all. What actions we are called to effect?
Why does Jesus separate for a time from the people he loves? To get closer to those who live in the darkness of death, who are waiting for salvation from God, their Creator? Mary and Joseph retrace their steps; they are looking, they are asking others, they resort to prayer; they go to the temple where they finally find him. Jesus is theirs from now on until death. However, you, O doctors of the law and you too poor people, who were filled with feelings of admiration, what are you doing? Are you going to retreat into your ignorance? This is more than likely; and the light having him in the darkness, the darkness did not understand him. (see Jn 1:5; Pauline Jaricot, The Living Rosary, op. Cit., p. 99).