One time, our family gathered with a group of friends to pray the Rosary. My five small children must have experienced an overflow of grace because that time, they prayed the Rosary as piously as the little shepherd children at Fatima. I was filled with joy as I watched them pray with such fervor.
However our regular family Rosary is more like what you'd imagine praying for twenty minutes straight looks like with five small children.
Our son used his rosary as more of a literal weapon than a spiritual one, and our six-year-old who had previously prayed with such reverence said, “Please, Jesus, make this go faster. Please, Jesus, this rosary is taking too long.” But even then there was joy in that moment because Jesus remained in the chaos.
Sisters, in today’s First Reading there is frightening chaos. Saul is persecuting the faithful, ripping them from their homes, and imprisoning them. Yet, amid that suffering, there is great joy in the city of Samaria. "For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:7-8). In the chaos, Jesus remains.
The Son of God calls you His daughter and by His power you can find joy in whatever chaos afflicts you. In your worry, there remains the Prince of Peace. In your heavy cross, there remains the One Who conquered death. In your struggle with sin, there remains the Redeemer. In the Gospel Jesus says, "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day" (John 6:40).
Sister, rise and see the presence of Christ in your turmoil. He has overcome it. You have victory in Jesus.
Do you already follow the "Abiding Together" podcast? This holy trio of women is evangelizing beautifully.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy dedicated to spreading Marian Consecration and the beauty of Christ's abundant Mercy. She enjoys finding the miracles in the mess of family life, books, strong coffee, and encountering others wherever they're at in this blessed journey to sainthood. You can find out more about her here.
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