Most Scripture scholars believe that the book of Malachi was written about a century after the people returned to Jerusalem after exile in Babylon and after the rebuilding of the Temple. However, not learning from the experiences of their ancestors, the people of Ancient Israel were once again drifting away from their faith. They were not paying their tithes; they were inter-marrying with foreigners who worshipped idols; they were not respecting the Sabbath; and the priests of the Temple were once again corrupt and disobedient. Unfortunately, history tells us that this is a common pattern with the people of Israel. They return to God, they return to their faith, they convert their hearts, but then they drift away once again from the path which God sets before them. Malachi has a vision of God witnessing to those who revere him, of writing their names in a book of remembrance. God will remember them – they will be his people, his special possession that will be remembered on judgment day.
It is so easy for us to stray from God in our modern world, with our society's secularism having such a strong voice in the world today. Many of the values that are a part of the Gospel are condemned by our world. From the days of Christ’s ministry, his mother Mary has been a central figure in the community of disciples, with Mary being the first disciple, the first one who believes in him and his ministry. Throughout the history of our faith, devotions have developed around Mary, the Blessed Mother who always brings us back to the faith, much like Malachi and the other prophets called the people back to the faith in Ancient Israel. Today’s memorial on October 7 is devoted to the Blessed Mother - Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Pius V had established a coalition of forces from Spain and other Christian kingdoms to fight the Ottoman empire. Their victory at the battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571 against the naval forces of the Ottoman empire led to the establishment of today’s feast. The victory was attributed to the prayers offered to the Blessed Mother through the praying of the rosary. Today’s celebration invites all of us to reflect upon the mysteries of Christ that we pray throughout the rosary, following the example of his mother who is so uniquely associated with her son’s incarnation, ministry, passion, and resurrection.
May the prayers and intercession of Mary help us on our journey of faith. May she help us choose her Son over the many other choices we have each day. May the prayers of the rosary alway touch our hearts.
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