Reflections on a biblical and Christ-centered prayer.
Question:
Why do we repeat prayers in the Rosary, if in the Bible Jesus forbade us to repeat words when praying? A separated brother told me that this was very wrong and that nothing in the Rosary is biblical. What could I answer?
Answer:
It is extremely important that, as Catholics, we always be ready to give the reasons for our faith (1 Pet 3:15) and present its biblical foundations. In this case, Pope John Paul II, in his recent encyclical on the Rosary, has called us to present the biblical foundations of the Rosary in order to show its spiritual richness and pastoral value (cf. Rosarium Virginis Mariae no. 43). With joy I share with you some of the immediate Catholic answers we have given to this:
1.- Jesus Christ gave us the example of praying this way.
It is false that the Bible forbids repeating words in prayer. When, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Jesus says not to speak so much in prayer, in that same verse he clarifies that he is referring to the pagans who think that by their much babbling they will be heard.
The rejection is not of “repeating words,” but of doing so without interior and profound meaning, thinking that the power lies in the repetition of words, as a pagan would do.
If someone told you that, it would be very good for you to point out that the Lord Jesus Christ himself gave us the example by praying while “repeating words.”
This is what happened. It was one of the most important moments in the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for he knew that the hour had come to give himself up for the salvation of mankind. It is the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. What was his prayer like? Let us see what the Bible tells us:
“He went away again and prayed, saying the same words” Mk 14:39
If Jesus Christ prayed “saying the same words,” then we too can do so. Unless someone says that Jesus Christ also did wrong by doing it that way. Believe it or not, some will be capable of saying that just so they do not have to admit their mistake.
2.- The Psalms contain repetitive prayers.
It seems that many Protestant brothers have not read the Word of God attentively, for in it we find that several psalms of the Bible are prayers with parts that are repeated every two or three verses. This was very common in the Bible. For example:
Psalm 29 repeats: “The voice of Yahweh.”
Psalm 46 repeats: “Yahweh, king of hosts, is with us.”
Psalm 80 repeats: “O God, bring us back.”
Psalm 107 repeats: “Give thanks to Yahweh.”
3.- Of course the Rosary is a biblical prayer.
* In the Rosary we “repeat words” just as Jesus did. Mk 14:39
* The Our Father is in the Bible. Mt 6:9-13
* A large part of the Hail Mary is in the Bible. Lk 1:28-55; Jn 2:1-11
* The Glory Be (Trinitarian praise) is in the Bible 2 Cor 13:13-14
4.- The “mysteries” of the Rosary are, for the most part, biblical passages:
Joyful Mysteries:
First mystery: The Incarnation of the Son of God Lk 1:26-38
Second mystery: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth Lk 1:39-45
Third mystery: The birth of Jesus Lk 2:1-7
Fourth mystery: The Presentation of the child Jesus Lk 2:22-34
Fifth mystery: Lost and found in the Temple Lk 2:41ff.
Sorrowful Mysteries:
First mystery: Jesus’ prayer in the Garden Mk 14:32-38
Second mystery: The scourging of Jesus Mk 15:15
Third mystery: The crowning with thorns Mk 15:16-19
Fourth mystery: Jesus carrying the Cross Mk 15:21-22
Fifth mystery: The crucifixion and death of Jesus Jn 19:18-30
Glorious Mysteries:
First mystery: The resurrection of Jesus Christ Mt 28:1-6
Second mystery: The Ascension of Jesus Mk 16:19-20
Third mystery: The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4
Fourth mystery: The Assumption of Mary Song 6:10
Fifth mystery: The coronation of Mary Rev 12:1ff.
Mysteries of Light
1.- His Baptism in the Jordan Mk 1:9-10
2.- The self-revelation at the wedding feast of Cana Jn 2:1-11
3.- The proclamation of the Kingdom of God, inviting conversion Mk 1:15
4.- The Transfiguration Mk 9:2-8
5.- The Institution of the Eucharist. Lk 22:19
Although many may dislike it or think it should not be done, if there is something biblical, it is the Rosary, with the biblical evidence we have already shown.
Besides, would a wife be bothered if her husband said to her again and again: “I love you very much,” “I love you very much,” “I love you very much”…? Of course not; quite the opposite.
In the same way, the Rosary is a “bouquet of roses” for Mary, asking for her intercession and glorifying Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Rosary revolves around the person of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for writing to us, and we hope that you continue growing in the knowledge of your faith so that you may live it and defend it.
Pray the Rosary. I recommend it to you.
Author: Martín Zavala, Missionaries of the Word
