The Catholic Defender: The Rosary, God's Beads Of Love

Johnny Cash wrote a song called, "Train of Love" which really has no connection with the Rosary other than the thought that these beads we use as a tool come from a position of love.

Yet, the Rosary is a weapon of battle.

Those who are faithful to the Rosary most of the time are more dedicated Catholics, that is my observation.

The Bible speaks of spiritual warfare and certainly we are in the middle of it coming on just about every front of life.

Our families are deeply affected because of the Secularism shaping our landscape today.

Like never before we need to get back to the basics of our holy Catholic Faith and contend for it because souls are at stake.

I have often told people that when you hold a Rosary in your hand, you are symbolically holding the hand of Our Lady. I have always had a feeling of security having a Rosary in my pocket. No matter where I have been, that continues to be so.

I Timothy 4:7-9 states, “Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance.”

Other biblical translations will say “devotion is of value in every way…” The Rosary, as a devotion certainly instills godliness. It is really like having a pocket bible because all of the mysteries of the Rosary come from the bible, either explicitly or implicitly.

As a spiritual tool, the Rosary can give such comfort when it is applied with faith, trust, assurance. There have been times in my life when I was hanging on by a scarlet thread. What kept me going was knowing I had someone praying for me.

This picture was taken of me while serving in Iraq which really is like an anchor. When your in the face of danger and you prepare yourself for battle, we must place our faith where our mouths are.

It is good from time to time to look back and see where you have been, how the Lord has been there with you through everything that you endure, we are not alone, but our faith is built on the reality we are promised tomorrow.

The Rosary is also a reminder of that love coming from God, that these beads are truly beads of love. Revelation 12:17 teaches, “Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.” We are in a spiritual warfare and Our Lady truly is Our spiritual Mother.

This dragon who is angered waging war with mankind, who stands on the sand of the sea, St. Peter states, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.” The Rosary, the beads of love is a great treasure because of it’s heavenly benefit.

St. Padre Pio referred to the Rosary as the “weapon” that has extraordinary power against Satan. Galatians 6:10-20 states, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace;

besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Notice St. Paul tells us to “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” This requires the action of the will regardless of the emotions. Sometimes prayer takes commitment, sometimes it takes dedication and work, but as a practice and discipline, prayer builds strength. St Jude agrees, Jude vs 20 states, “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;” dedicated prayer builds strength and when times are tough, prayer is a lifesaver.

The Rosary as a prayer is one of supplication where we are literally praying with the Virgin Mary. When you see praying the Rosary like this, then the beads of love really becomes a faithful encounter with our Mother in heaven who is with Our Lord. As St. John accepted bringing Mother Mary into his house (John 19:27) we too have the opportunity to honor her in our home. Where Mother Mary is being honored, Our Lord Jesus is present.

It is my encouragement that we lift up all prayer for the Church, for the Pope, the Bishops in union with him and all the clergy. To pray for all the faithful, the strengthening of families and our Nation.

The Rosary is Our Ladies peace plan from heaven. The Rosary is our beads of love that points to love. God is love, “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

We often remember great events where God intervenes in a battle saving His people, or where someone was given a personal answer to a personal request.

The Rosary is a tool the Lord uses to bring us into the story of Salvation. Being part of the Catholic Faith and being faithful to it places us under God's protection especially for the Judgement coming.