In this Random Nun Clip, a listener asks if she has to pray the mysteries of the rosary in order, even if some bring back painful memories. You can hear the full Ask Sister podcast at AS184 at aNunsLife.org.
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Sister Maxine
This Random Nun Clip is brought to you by A Nun's Life Ministry.
Sister Julie
Eugenia writes, "One of the Glorious Mysteries brings up painful memories for me. Is it okay if I sub in another set of mysteries on Wednesdays and Sundays?" Eugenia, we all hit those points where there's a certain prayer or a practice or something that is part of our faith life that we may struggle with. God is compassionate and loving, and wants us to be able to enter into relationship with God and enter into a relationship with a broader faith community in a way that is free for us, that is open for us -- and not one that feels we are bound, or we feel scared or upset because whatever the practice is, we might just not be in a place where we can be present to it.
Sister Maxine
There's also an invitation in some of this. When my dad died, I remember one of the prayers that I could not say for the longest time, but eventually, after I reconciled myself to his death, by saying that prayer, it was a way for me to reconnect with him. It became a source of healing in a way I had not anticipated what had been his death, a tremendous source of pain. Actually, I began to find comfort in that prayer and comfort in the new way he was alive to me. Eugenia, over time, maybe the Glorious Mysteries will become that consolation -- when you're ready.
Sister Julie
That reminds me, Sister, of one of my favorite Scriptural passages in Numbers, where Moses is with the whole faith community and people are dying. They're being bitten by snakes. As an act of healing, God invites Moses to make an image of the snake, put it up on a rod, and hold it up to the people. Looking at that was a source of healing for the people. And of course, that's a great image for the cross of Christ, of being able to look upon the thing that has caused great sorrow, great pain in us, and to see it as a source of healing -- when you're ready, as you mentioned.
Sister Maxine
If not a source of healing, it may be a sign of healing. You know, sometimes when we're in those difficult places, we wonder if life is ever going to get any better, if we're ever gonna feel better or happy again, and to be able to look upon something and it has a different meaning to us -- that signifies that there is hope for us to be restored in the midst of great pain.
Sister Julie
To hear full episodes of A Nun's Life podcasts, visit the podcast page at anunslife.org/podcasts.
This transcript has been lightly edited for readability.
