Holy
Rosary Month - Day 7: Preparatory Mysteries 5
The
Immanuel Prophecy:
In the fifth preparatory mystery we meditate
on the Immanuel Prophecy.
Through centuries God was preparing the people for receiving the Savior through
patriarchs, leaders, judges, priests, kings, and prophets. The people of Israel
have now become a great nation with their own land in the Promised Canaan; a
promise given to their forefather has now been fulfilled. “Go from your country
and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you. I will
make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so
that you will be a blessing.” (Gen 12:1, 2) But their increase in number and
their possession made them think of a king to rule over them; a shift from
depending on God to depending on themselves. Through Samuel God made them aware
of the danger of having a king other than he, but they refused to God’s counsel.
The people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! But we are
determined to have a king over us. So that we may also be like other nations,
and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (1Sam
8:19, 20) And we know from history that united Israel had only a hundred years
of king’s rule; rule of kings Saul, David, and Solomon. After that the kingdom
was divided into two; northern kingdom of ten tribes and southern kingdom of
two tribes. Because of their unfaithfulness they were sent into exile; first
northern kingdom, Israel in 721 (Assyrian exile) and then southern kingdom,
Judah in 587 (Babylonian exile). Prophets made them aware of their sins and
offences against God, their unfaithfulness to the precepts of the Lord, and
finally they wanted to go back to the Lord. Therefore, God who heard the cry of
Abel, (Gen 4:10) and of Israel in Egypt (Ex 3:7) gave ear to the cry of the
people of God in Assyria and Babylon and made a promise to them through prophet
Isaiah, “Look the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall
name him Immanuel.” (Is 1:14) How great and loving our God is! He comes again
to those who rejected him as their king to be with them and rule over
them.
Prayer:
Oh Mary, mother
of Jesus! We come to you for your help and protection. Mary our mother and
guide, help us to understand the meaning of being faithful and thankful to God in
our life. In this mystery we specially pray for those who have gone astray from
God because of their pride and now are in sinful ways, like addictions to drugs
and liquors, involved in crimes and other social evils. Let them have the real
sense of sin and repentance through the intercession of holy Mary, and return
to the Lord. Amen!
Greetings:
Wish you all a nice and blissful Marian Tuesday!
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