“During the autumn season starting in October, the temperatures start to drop, daylight time will become shorter. Then the trees will have vibrant colorful leaves because there is less sunlight during the day. Then the trees will begin to shed and let go of its leaves. In other words, we will experience more hours of darkness than we will of daylight.
Seasons come and go. During this autumn season, some people will find this season as a gift, some others, like a burden to them. When we let our defenses go, blessings can come running to us. The seasons keep turning, but God who holds them will not let us go. Let us ask him to help us with our burdens and put all our trust in him. Look at the barren trees and be grateful for the beauty we saw in them and wait hopefully for a new spring. Seasons change but God does not.
“Letting go gives freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.” Thich Hanh
Seeing all these beautiful colored leaves fall to the ground reminds us to let go of many things in our lives. We must learn to live through our sufferings of our goodbyes, leave our hurts, our grudges, our struggles etc. Let us put our trust in God. He is always there no matter what season of life we are in. Let us praise God for the colorful beauty of the autumn season.
An example of letting go: is when Jesus went to the desert for 40 days to pray. He let go his security and defenses. It was the passion and death that were the culmination of all his goodbyes. He would have to leave his disciples, his friends and return to his father.
In the bible, John 16:28 states:
“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
October is considered as the month of the Rosary. On the 7th day, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. It is a time to honor Mary, our mother. It is a devotion that we can all have; prayers are said that focuses on the main mysteries of Salvation. Pray the rosary, it always helps. Ask our Mother Mary, to help us carry our burdens etc. In 1917, Mary appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal. She said she was the ‘Lady of the Rosary,’ so let us pray to her at all times.
Saint Marie Rivier, foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, had a great devotion for Mary. She said,
“I obtained everything from her through the prayer of the rosary, and I will not cease calling on you dear Mother until my prayers are granted.’ Let us imitate her. I invite you to say the rosary.
Choose a place to pray where you can be comfortable, maybe walk where you can enjoy the beauty of nature.
The rosary includes all the mysteries of Jesus’ life while He was on earth. Meditate and pray using these mysteries.
Daily schedule;
On Monday and Saturday use these mysteries.
1) Five Joyful Mysteries-The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation, The Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
On Tuesday and Friday
2) Five Sorrowful Mysteries- The Agony of Jesus, The Scourging, The Crowning of Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, The Crucifixion.
On Wednesday and Sunday
3) Five Glorious Mysteries- The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of Mary, The Crowning of Mary.
On Thursday
4) Five Luminous Mysteries-The Baptism, of Jesus, The Wedding in Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom, The Transfiguration, The Institution of the Eucharist.
Finish saying the rosary with the Fatima Prayer.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those who are in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
There are many different ways to honor Mary besides reciting the rosary, use other prayers, songs, hymns, pray the litanies, recite the Marian chaplets which are variations of the rosary.
When you honor Mary, it makes you get closer to her. She listens and looks at us with tenderness, mercy and loves us like she did for her Son Jesus.
