Many people ask, “Why did Jesus undergo Baptism by John?” It is obvious that the Baptism performed by John was one of repentance for SIN. Since Jesus did not sin, why would He consent to this baptism? The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. His baptism even is a connection to his saving death and resurrection and unites us to that. Saint Paul tells us, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his [Rom. 6:3-5]. Jesus is the normative man; that is, we should do as Jesus does. The Catechism goes on to say, “Through Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father’s beloved son in the Son and “walk in newness of life”
Just as the Baptism of Jesus was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, our Baptism is the beginning of our walk with Him. The baptism that we follow in the Catholic Church is at the command of Jesus. Just before ascending in to heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19). The Catholic Church follows this command, strictly. Let us take a moment to reflect on how this affects us.
1 – Have I been baptized in the Trinitarian formula (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)? If you were baptized in the Catholic Church, you were. If you were baptized in another faith, you many not have been. Check to see and if you were not, sign up for the Adult Christian Initiation classes in your church and be baptized as Jesus tells us to.
2 – Do I understand that my baptism marks me for all eternity as a follower of Jesus?
3 – Do I understand that my baptism means that I have been given a job to do, namely being like Jesus and telling others about HIM.
4 – Do I understand that when I was baptized, I received new birth and received the Holy Spirit (to be later given in fullness at Confirmation).
5 – Do I understand that my baptism has made me a child of God?
6 – Do I fully appreciate the humility that Jesus showed in being baptized?
7 – Do I treat the baptism of friends and relatives with the respect that it deserves?
8 – Do I understand that God has sanctified water and continually uses it to bring about His graces.
9 – Do I see other baptized people as my brother and sisters?
10 – Have I encouraged my friends and relatives to honor baptism,
Leonardo da Vinci said, “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” It seems to me that the purpose of both art and poetry is to lift us up beyond what we normally can see and feel. They both reach in to our very being, our soul, our essence, to lift us up higher than we can imagine. This book by Annabelle Moseley does all of that. It is filled, literally filled, with art and poetry about our Mother Mary. The poetry by the author and the art work that was chosen by her help us to reach in to the depths of truth and intimacy with Mary, especially through the Rosary. This book brought tears to my eyes several time as it helped me to internalize the love that Mary has for us. I had just previously read Keith Berube’s book on Mary and the Rosary which did pretty much the same thing.
I feel very blessed to have had these two books brought together for me at the same time. I also find it interesting that each of these two authors write in the introductions of each other’s books. Also the Foreword in SACRED BRAILLE is written by Bishop Richard Henning who I first got to know when he worked in my parish many years ago as a young priest. Bishop Henning is a good and holy man and one of the most intelligent men I know. Also much of the art used in the book is taken from the Seminary that I attended for my diaconal training, The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. It brings back many good memories. More important than that, the artwork stimulates the soul and lifts us up above the ordinariness of everyday life. It helps us to see that we are much more than we appear to be and that our God has reached down to us to help us to better realize that.
I cannot overstate that the original poetry of the author and the amazing art work inside the book are ethereal. The poetry especially fascinated me. It is complex, but understandable. Some of it follows traditional elements of poetry but some of it takes on a unique nature of its own. I was especially moved and impressed by the “Mirror Sonnets” contained throughout the book. I cannot even imagine how difficult it is to write these sonnets where the first section is read and then the second section is read line by line in reverse order of the first and they both make complete sense. You have to read this to believe this and to even understand what I am saying so I will, with the author’s permission, share one Mirror Sonnet with you.
Mirror Sonnet*: Mary Recalls The Prophecy of Simeon
A mother knows her son’s hands like her own.
She studies them from birth—each fingernail
is halo-shaped. Soft skin over strong bone,
each line and dimple forms a Sacred Braille.
While Simeon foretold, I held Christ’s hand.
And that was when the blade first pierced my soul.
I knew that to redeem a broken land,
my child’s palms could not remain smooth, whole.
The earth is punctured, seeded, before sprouts
grow forth. Then fruit is gathered, branches pruned.
There must be something for the soul who doubts
to press their fingers into, like a wound.
The piercing of my soul provides a sieve—
for sifting death from those who long to live.
For sifting death from those who long to live,
the piercing of my soul provides a sieve—
to press their fingers into, like a wound.
There must be something for the soul who doubts.
Grow forth! Then fruit is gathered, branches pruned.
The earth is punctured, seeded, before sprouts.
My child’s palms could not remain smooth, whole.
I knew that—to redeem a broken land…
And that was when the blade first pierced my soul.
While Simeon foretold, I held Christ’s hand.
Each line and dimple formed a Sacred Braille,
was halo-shaped. Soft skin over strong bone,
I’d studied them from birth—each fingernail.
A mother knows her son’s hands like her own.
* a new poetic form created by the author.
Throughout this book, the author’s writing shows me the deep love that she has for Mary and the Rosary. I can’t help but to believe that the Holy Spirit inspired her to write this about the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The writing is way above the ordinary, and seems quite inspired.
The Preface by Annabelle Moseley sets the stage for what is to follow. It also contains within it some interesting date-coincidences (more like God-incidents) in Annabelle Moseley’s life. She then begins with the Seven Sorrows of Mary before leading then to all four of the Mysteries of the Rosary. The poetry and art reflections on each mystery will bring new life to your own reflections on the mysteries as you say the Rosary. After completing all four mysteries, she has a section with discussion questions for all of the poetry from the Seven Sorrows through the four mysteries. This could be used either by you or in a group.
After the discussion section, Annabelle Moseley gives us a workbook for a three day retreat. This workbook is filled with ideas on how to do the retreat including settings, readings, exercises, activities and even music to play. I am still thinking of ways to put this in to action for myself and for my parish. After this section the author teaches the reader how to pray the Rosary. She then has a section listing the fifteen promises of Mary concerning the Rosary.
As if all of this is not enough, Annabelle Moseley teaches us three different ways to enhance our reflection on the Seven Sorrows and the four mysteries of the Rosary. The first way is the “Visio Divino” where she lists several great works of art pieces to contemplate. The second way is the “Lectio Divino” where she gives us several scripture passages to reflect on. The third way is the “Audio Divino” where Annabelle Moseley gives us various pieces of music to use while contemplating. The book ends with a call to make a Living Rosary and to see the Rosary as a true Masterpiece in itself.
I have always had a deep appreciation of art and poetry and music. The individual pieces within this book are Masterpieces themselves, but taken together this book is a true, and very rare, masterpiece that helps to transform you in to who God calls you to be. Mary gave the perfect YES. We too are called by God to say our YES to Him. What better way is there than to follow the Mother of Jesus as she leads us to her son Jesus. This book helps us to do this with beauty and style. Do yourself a favor, buy this book and keep it out to be used often. You will be glad that you did.
NOTE: I am writing this review at the time of a world-wide pandemic. People are getting sick and dying and most stores and businesses have had to shut down. There is no income coming in for many and everyday living seems to be quite traumatic. People are hurting and in need of healing and consolation. Our mother Mary is the great Consoler who can bring us to her Son, Jesus who is the great healer. Just as Mary consoled Jesus at the foot of the cross, she can console us at the foot of our pandemic cross. The beauty and the message of this book is a great means of receiving consolation from our Mother who loves and cares for us so much. Hopefully this pandemic will be over soon, but all of us know that we are in need of consolation throughout so many stages of our life. This book could be a real spiritual medicine for us.
