In 1858, Our Lady chose a cold rainy day in the dumping grounds of a town in France to show to our world that the Kingdom of God has come upon us! Something started almost invisibly … yet since then, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has been a very visible sign of the Kingdom of God.
As we hear in today’s gospel reading, Our Lord came to a conflicted world and found himself the focus of controversy and derision. So is OUR world - and St. Bernadette herself suffered.
The powers that be wanted to put Bernadette in an insane asylum. France of the 19th century was a ping pong game among vying political systems. In the middle of it, Our Lady came not to espouse any one in particular, but rather to show that all the political systems of the world and all power must find it’s compass and orientation in Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Our Lady began with humble, truthful Bernadette. She invited Bernadette to a friendship: a relationship that would bring Bernadette to Jesus. To know Him, to love Him, to follow Him and to become like Him. Bernadette became very holy. Bernadette became full of love for all. This is the way of the kingdom of God.
Our Mother Mary led Bernadette on this way with the Holy Rosary! Did you know that each of the 18 times that Our Lady appeared to Bernadette they prayed the Rosary?
Today, October 9, the Church remembers St. John Henry Newman, Cardinal Newman who illuminated Christian theology brilliantly for our times. He also found the peace and power of this great prayer. He came to love the Rosary profoundly and in his later years, when his sight dimmed and he could not read the scriptures, the Holy Rosary became his constant companion as Our Lady prepared him to enter the fullness of the Kingdom.
Will you let Our Lady lead you too – to Jesus and His Kingdom?
- To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
