The Wildflower Rosary, Overview

The Wildflower Rosary, with seven days of mysteries, is designed for evangelists to more easily teach people about Jesus' life and mission. You will notice, the only parts of "Mariology" occur at the beginning and the end. The whole thing is about Jesus. Even the point of Assumption is about how Jesus specially honored his mother (being a good son and following the 10 commandments). Then finally, the Coronation follows the vision of Saint John the Apostle, as recorded in his Revelations, and is a recognition that the Queen of any Jewish nation is always the King's mother, not his wife. 

So then, why do we ask Mary to pray for us? Because as we recite in the Apostles' Creed, we believe in the communion of saints, of whom Mother Mary is the first and best. But we don't think of her as in any way divine. She is the Queen of Heaven, and everyone there loves her. She has been, and is now, instrumental in the salvation of all humans who get to Heaven. Besides, who else do you think taught Jesus to think first of the Father and obey Him? That's pretty important, right? It was his beloved mother, Mary.  

Joyful Mysteries (Monday) 
It's time for the Messiah to come!
1. Annunciation to Mary 
     "... and you shall name him Jesus."
     - Luke 1:26-38 ~ "acceptance" 
2. Visiting with her cousin Elisabeth 
     "Blessed art thou among women" 
     - Luke 1:41-45 ~ "encouragement" 
3. Birth of Jesus 
     "... and laid him in a manger."
     - Luke 2:4-7 ~ "humility" 
4. Presentation of the First Born 
     "my eyes have seen your salvation."
     - Luke 2:22-39 ~ "fulfillment" 
5. Discovery at the Temple 
     "I had to be in my Father's house"
     - Luke 2:45-49 ~ "belonging" 

Luminous Mysteries (Tuesday) 
His mission is authorized by the Father. 
1. Baptism in the Jordan 
     "This is my beloved Son"
     - Matthew 3:16-17 ~ "contrition" 
2. Wedding at Cana 
     "Fill the jars with water." 
     - John 2:5-7 ~ "joining" 
3. Proclaiming the Kingdom 
     "The Kingdom of God is at hand."
     - Luke 4:16-22 ~ "newsflash" 
4. Casting out Demons 
    "Anything is possible for one who believes."
     - Mark 9:17-29 ~ "overcoming" 
5. Transfiguration 
     "and his face shone like the sun" 
     - Matthew 17:1-8 ~ "revealed" 

Believing Mysteries (Wednesday) 
And Jesus did miracles among them: 
1. Healing the Sick 
      "Who touched me?" 
      - Luke 8:43-48 ~ "healing" 
2. Including the Despised 
      "He told me everything I ever did." 
      - John 4:4-42 ~ "inclusion" 
3. Forgiving the Broken 
      "Which is easier, to say ..." 
      - Matthew 9:2-8 ~ "forgiving" 
4. Power over Nature 
      "Why did you doubt?" 
      - Matthew 14:22-34 ~ "reassuring"
5. Promising Resurrection 
      "...if you believe, you will see the glory..."
      - John 11:1-44 ~ "promises" 

Theological Mysteries (Thursday) 
How the disciples came to know him:
1. Rebirth into the Kingdom 
      "... being born of water and Spirit."
      - John 3:3-8 ~ "transformed" 
2. Foundation of the Church 
      "Who do you say that I am?" 
      - Matthew 16:13-17 ~ "identity" 
3. Revealing his Identity 
      "I and the Father are one." 
      - John 10:22-42 (v.30) ~ "trinity" 
4. Beginning the Eucharist 
     "This is my body ... my blood ..."
     - Luke 22:14-20 ~ "sacrifice"
5. Abiding in his Word
     "If you abide in me, and my words ..." 
      - John 15:1-10 ~ "abiding" 

Sorrowful Mysteries (Friday) 
He suffered for our sins.
1. Agony in the garden 
     "let this cup pass from me"
      - Matthew 26:36-45 ~ "obedience" 
2. Scourging at the pillar
     "... and had him scourged"
     - Mark 15:15 ~ "rejection" 
3. Crowned with thorns 
     "Hail, King of the Jews!"
      - John 19:2-3 ~ "mockery" 
4. Carrying the cross 
     "carrying his own cross" 
     - John 19:17 ~ "suffering" 
5. Crucified to death 
     "Father, forgive them. They know not ..." 
     - Luke 23:32-34 ~ "intercession" 

Holiness Mysteries (Saturday) 
He taught us the Way of mercy: 
1. The Greatest Commandments 
     "On these two commandments depend.."
     - Matthew 22:36-40 ~ "devotion" 
2. Kosher Speech 
      "but what comes out of your mouth ..."
     - Matthew 15:11,15-20 ~ "purity" 
3. Corporal works of mercy. 
     "Whenever you did it to one of these ..." 
     - Matthew 25:34-40 ~ "kindness" 
4. "Love your enemies" 
     "Be merciful, even as your Father ..."
     - Luke 6:17-49 ~ "bearing" 
5. "Seek first the Kingdom of God"
     "Your Father knows you have need ..." 
      - Matthew 6:19-34 ~ "trusting" 

Glorious Mysteries (Sunday) 
His Kingdom is established in Heaven. 
1. Jesus arose from the dead 
     "He is not here. He has risen." 
     - Mark 16:5-7 ~ "vindication" 
2. He ascended to Heaven 
    "He was lifted up while they were looking"
     - Acts 1:9-11 ~ "amazed" 
3. The Holy Spirit came down 
     "tongues as of fire"
     - Acts 2:1-4 ~ "empowered" 
4. Mary was assumed to Heaven 
     "Blessed is the womb that carried you..." 
     - Luke 11:27, 28 ~ "praise" 
5. Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven 
     "and on her head a crown of 12 stars" 
     - Revelations 12:1 ~ "glory"

It is becoming more and more common these days for Protestants to say the Rosary, in particular those with "High Church" aspirations. Often, they may use the Jesus prayer, saying it on the beads in place of the Hail Mary, especially if they intend to go through all of the mysteries in one day. This is what Orthodox Christians do with their Chotki ropes, saying the Jesus prayer and meditating on his life in the Gospels. Or, we can use a longer form of the Jesus prayer, and say it after every Our Father: 

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Help me to amend my ways, and lead me to follow thy path. Lord, teach me thy Way of Truth, and let me share thy Life, now and forever. Amen."

The Rosary can be a highly effective means for us to maintain an intimate relationship with Jesus. It allows us to dwell on many of the high points of his saving mission, helping us to visualize his life and listen to his teaching. It reminds us to follow his example, showing how he loved all who came to him with faith and helped them to put their lives in order. And it promises that when we abide in his Love and let his words abide in our hearts, He will always be present to converse and share with us.

Remember, however, the Rosary is not a worship of Mary. We ask her to pray, not to save us. She takes our faith, our hope, and our love to Jesus, and asks for his grace and mercy. We do know how deeply Jesus loves his mother, so then, we can be certain that He listens. 

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