Clothed in Love: Finding Dignity in the Rosary

By Karen "Sweety Little Karen" Kegley

Madonna di Loreto-Caravaggio (c.1604-06)

It was man's yes in the Garden, Adam's "always yes" that kept the glory of God as his covering. He was naked, and yet, because all he saw was Love—that is, the Glory of God, which can only now fill the hearts of His faithful ones here—Adam didn't know his own nakedness, the potential of his own vulnerability. For when He had finished His creating, He saw that it was good. And He rested in His works. Adam was the touchpaper. Man, with the power to choose, kept choosing God at every turn... until he chose to distrust God. And God's glory immediately departed from Adam and Eve. God's glory is blinding, and so now we can only see in a mirror dimly. We must "take heaven by force," but we can only do that by resting and believing in His Mysterious Presence. Force? Yes, we must learn to do violence to our rebelliousness until it is brought into glad and willing submission. They were literally clothed in Love, the pure Glory of God!

Which brings me to my rosary this morning. Actually, last night. I planned to join your and then Micah's spaces but felt led to have Her all to myself in that rosary. Also drawn to the comfort of community, I wobbled in my dedication to "just me & Mary" in my prayer and hopped in and out of your space. Last night, I learned that I am even more little than I have been previously shown. In fact, I am so small, so insignificant, that the definition of "me" became the teeny space in between the Ave Maria beads. That's where Karen fits in. A mere breath, if that. But He has given me so great a dignity that I am worth dying for. Indeed, my dignity is no greater than a baby who can only breathe but no less than the resident in my exam room yesterday who is going into pediatric neurology, or any other person marked by great intellect or achievement. This is so comforting to me this morning.

Exodus XIV:14

Douay-Rheims: The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

Vulgate: Dominus pugnabit pro vobis, et vos tacebitis.