Commending Devotion to the Rosary
Third Influence: Forgetfulness of the Future - The Glorious Mysteries
What the Problem Looks Like:
- chiefly characteristic of the times in which we live
- sinful attachment to the things of earth by a contempt of the things of heaven thought of our true Fatherland of enduring happiness is not only set aside, but... banished and entirely erased from memory, notwithstanding the warning of St. Paul, "We have not here a lasting city, but we seek one which is to come" (Heb. xiii., 4)
Causes of this Forgetfulness:
- many allow themselves to believe that the thought of a future life goes in some way to sap the love of our country... against the prosperity of the commonwealth. No illusion could be more foolish or hateful
- our future hope is not of a kind which so monopolizes the minds of men as to withdraw their attention from the interests of this life
[Comment: I think this is true in our day as well, though our language would be different. Today, there is a great focus on the immediate pleasures of life and little thought is given to the future glory. It may be thought, though perhaps not admitted, that being a Christian means putting all of one's hopes in the future of heaven to the exclusion of any fun or pleasure in the here and now. While this is partially true, Christians are called to make prudent judgment with their time and money, it is a great waste and sadness to shun the hope of an eternity with God at the thought of losing some comforts in the here and now.]
God: Author of Nature and Author of Grace:
- Christ commands us... to seek the Kingdom of God, but not in such a manner as to neglect all things else
- the use of the goods of the present life, and the righteous enjoyment which they furnish, serve both to strengthen virtue and to reward it
- the splendour and beauty of our earthly habitation, by which human society is ennobled, may mirrorthe splendour and beauty of our dwelling which is above
- God, who is the Author of Nature is the Author of Grace, willed not that one should collide or conflict with the other, but that they should act in friendly alliance, so that under the leadership of both we may the more easily arrive at that immortal happiness for which we mortal men were created
Remedy: The Glorious Mysteries:
- learn that death is not an annihilation which ends all things, but merely a migration and passage from life to life
- learn that the path to Heaven lies open to all men
- recall the sweet words of Christ and His promise, "I go to prepare a place for you"
- remember that a time will come when "God will wipe away every tear from our eyes," and that "neither mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow, shall be any more," and that "We shall be always with the Lord," and "like to the Lord, for we shall see Him as He is," and "drink of the torrent of His delight," as "fellow-citizens of the saints," in the blessed companionship of our glorious Queen and Mother
- dwelling upon such a prospect, our hearts are kindled with desire [for heaven]
- discover the true relation between time and eternity, between our life on earth and our life in heaven
- form strong and noble characters. When such characters can be counted in large numbers, the dignity and well-being of society are assured. All that is beautiful, good, and true will flourish in the measure of its conformity to Him who is of all beauty, goodness, and truth the first Principle and the Eternal Source
Concluding thought: The rosary is one of the best devotions that can help us to see how our divine Lord comes down to earth, accompanies us through very human experiences, and how these experiences, transformed through grace, helps us to get ready to go to heaven to live there for all eternity. The rosary shows us that grace can be found in every different moment of our life. Though moments of joy, sorrow, light, and glory God is there to teach us His eternal truths. This timeless letter from Leo XIII expresses, with great understanding, the benefit of meditating on and seeking God's grace for ourselves and for the formation of society. What a treasure!
I'll leave you with a question: For what ill in society would the Luminous Mysteries be a remedy?
To read the letter in full text please go to:


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