The Monthly Note
October
Through the gaze of Mary
by Denis Gagnon, o.p.
With fall comes October. Nature is in full transformation. Before falling asleep for the long winter months, nature offers us a wonderful show. The landscapes adorn themselves with flamboyant colours. The maple tree dresses up in red. The poplar tree, in yellow. The leaves from the oak tree become brown. The sun finds time to snake in and out between the trees. The wind makes the branches dance before disrobing them of their leaves. Gardens are generous. The orchards satisfy us with their fruits. October is a generous month. Rich and generous.
October also celebrates the Rosary of the Virgin Mary. A custom many centuries old. The Rosary is not happy with only one season, like the month of October for example. It covers all the seasons of the Gospel, from the Annunciation to her Crowning next to God.
Every page of the Good news of Jesus Christ is read through the gaze of Mary. Joyously, luminously, sorrowfully and gloriously, Mary reminds us of the steps Jesus took from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. With Mary, we retrace the Lord’s pilgrimage. It is our turn to walk it.
At the same time, Mary stands by our side in the pilgrimage of our own life. She shares our joyous or luminous seasons. She sympathizes when we go through sorrowful times. And when the glorious Easter sun invades us, she sings with us the victory of life over evil and death.
Through the Rosary, Mary suggests to us two gazes. One draws our attention to the Gospel, the other on ourselves. In both cases, she invites us to see with the eyes of Christ. This way, our faith travels through many seasons more beautiful than fall.
