The mysteries of the Rosary invite us into discovery of Jesus...

When Fr. William agreed to meet with me for our latest video, I was delighted.  Delighted to have time to sit down with him and that he would be our historical reference for the fourth and fifth joyful mysteries which have eluded me for some time.

Eluded me in the sense that I felt I was only skimming the surface of understanding failing to fully comprehend their meaning.  The fourth mystery, the Presentation at the Temple, seems to be what it says however, upon invitation into this mystery, we are welcomed into a world of deep Jewish tradition where parents were called to sacrifice by purchasing and bringing a lamb or two pigeons to Temple in order to "buy back" their first-born sons from God.

It's at this Presentation where the elderly prophet Simeon, our example of patient and faithful waiting, takes the infant Jesus in his arms, brings Him close to his heart, adores the Messiah he has so fervently anticipated, and praises Him saying:

"Now, Master, you may let your servant go

in peace, according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for your people Israel.”

(Luke 2: 29-32)

I've always understood the fifth mystery, the Finding of Jesus in the Temple to be the "joy" and relief of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus after He had been separated from them for three days.  As a mother, and admittedly having been unable to find my own children a time or two!, the anxiety, fear and then relief and thanksgiving of finding your child are all indescribable and relatable.  I wondered, though, is this the "joy" of the mystery or could there be something else, too?  

And this is the invitation to discovery.  I've realized over the past four weeks that Mary has led me to her Son in beautiful, personal ways.  Just as in paintings and her words in Scripture, she has pointed me in the direction of knowing Him deeper through talking about Scripture and faith with Br. Jakub, my mom, Fr. Juan, and most recently, Fr. William. It's my prayer that these discussions have led you, too, to something deeper as you all were in my mind as I thought about the questions to ask.

May this last week of anticipation, waiting and wonder bring you the joy that Simeon so beautifully expresses as he looks at Jesus and says, "my eyes have seen your salvation"!

In Him through her,

Angela