Readings: Jonah 3:1-10, Ps. 130:1-4,7-8, Luke 10:38-42
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10)
To repent is to acknowledge my sinfulness before God, to be genuinely sorry, and to ask forgiveness from God. Repentance begins from the heart and manifests in physical actions such as fasting, self-denial, or self-humiliation. Like the people of Nineveh, we express sorrow for our sins and repent them by confessing them.
Virtually all the spiritual masters and saints recommend regular confession. If you put off confession for over a week, you become weaker spiritually. Never be too ashamed to confess your sin. The more you hide it, the more the devil makes you believe it is okay.
You might ask: “Why can’t I sit in my room and beg for God’s forgiveness?” If we want to deal with sin, we must be willing to discuss it with others. The people of Nineveh did not sit in their rooms, asking for God’s forgiveness. They publicly humiliated themselves and proclaimed a fast from the greatest to the least.
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10). Repentance moves God. Just as God changed His mind towards the Ninevites, repentance from sin saves us from the calamities our sins attract.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is at the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha is distracted with all the serving while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to him. Martha complains to Jesus about Mary for not helping out with the serving, but surprisingly, Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the better part, and it shall not be taken away from her.”
What is this “better part”? It is paying attention to the Word of God daily. Let us endeavour to carve out time to sit at Jesus’ feet to listen to Him by reading the Bible daily. We may be busy working for Jesus, but let us not become so busy that we forget to pray (spend time in adoration, meditation, or personal Bible study). In other words, do not allow your work to become a distraction from what is most important.
The Holy Rosary originated in 1212, when the Virgin Mary gave Saint Dominic de Guzman the Rosary after praying for help in combating the Albigensian heresy. This heresy was defeated, and the Rosary became a symbol of refuge, comfort, and strength in facing life’s challenges, with its beads serving as a protective “shield” against false teachings. The Rosary’s origin as a gift from the Virgin Mary and its simple practice helped spread this devotion among the faithful, which Pope Francis describes as the “mysticism of the people.”
In 1571, as the Ottoman Turks advanced toward Europe, the Holy League was formed to halt their progress. Pope Pius V, a Dominican deeply devoted to Mary, blessed a banner featuring the Crucifix with Apostles Peter and Paul, surrounded by Emperor Constantine’s motto “In hoc signo vinces” (“By this sign you shall conquer”). Alongside this was the image of the Madonna and the inscription “S. Maria succurre miseris” (“Holy Mary, help those in need”). These were the only two flags among the Holy League forces.
Pope Pius V also called on all Christians to pray the Holy Rosary for victory, which was achieved on 7 October 1571, and was seen as a manifestation of divine intervention. In 1572, he established the feast of Our Lady of Victories, later renamed “Our Lady of the Rosary” by Pope Gregory XIII. Another victory attributed to the Rosary occurred in 1683 at Vienna, where Blessed Mark of Aviano’s prayer helped halt the Ottoman advance through divine assistance and trust in the Virgin Mary.
Today, those devoted to the Rosary view it as a gift from the Virgin Mary, offering them the opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ life and to love and follow Him. Apparitions at places like Lourdes and Fatima have encouraged daily recitation of the Rosary to overcome division, discord, and heart troubles, benefiting families and communities.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give us the grace of true repentance and contrition for our sins and in our busyness for you, may we not miss heaven at last. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Our Lady of the Rosary. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Jonah 3:1-10, Ps. 130:1-4,7-8, Luke 10:38-42)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu