Finding meaning in prayer

I distinctly remember that prayer service in Yercaud, wherein three of us in the community were asked to share about the Rosary.  Two of us were students and when the third person stood up to speak we were surprised: it was Fr Stan, our Principal.  By all common standards, we did not expect him to be speaking about the 'graces' of the Rosary.  Not that we considered him some sort of atheist or agnostic, but just a gut level feeling.  But I still remember his concluding words:

I pray the Rosary not because it is good and beautiful or that it fulfills my wishes.  I pray it because it helps me find meaning.  So is there a possibility when I will stop praying the Rosary?  Perhaps I will... when I find a more meaningful prayer.  Till I find a more meaningful prayer, I'll stick with the Rosary.  

I'm still struggling to make sense of the prayer! Or maybe I'm praying it for all the wrong purposes, as and when I do pray.

Goodness boomerangs!

In contrast to the rosary recital in Karunapuram, here at Punganur there is a literal verbal fight to pray the first part of the 'Hail Mary', every night! Add to that the fact that these boys are all Hindus!! The verbal fight is a very tenacious one with no one willing to give up their chance, even till the ninth 'Hail Mary'! Or else the Brother has to intervene and literally plead with a couple of the boys to let someone else continue. Rather than dampen or come down heavily on their enthusiasm, I devised a plan to channelize it to something constructive. So a couple of days ago, I announced during the night prayers, that only those who consciously do atleast one good act during the day, should lead the rosary.

Imagine my surprise the next night when there were more contestants than before to recite the first part of the prayer! And each of them had already informed me the good they had done during the day – without me asking them or telling them to report it to me! I guess that's why 'the Kingdom belongs to such as these!'

Rosary and the rosary!

Last night I had to rush out to drop the auditors at the bus stand. Somehow I made it just in the nick of time and they were able to board the bus. On my way back I realised I might as well pick up a few bottles of beer for this evening's celebration. (Were it left to me, I'd not even propose that there be any drinks for any celebrations... anyhow, one of the scourges of living in communities...!!). I picked up a few bottles and dashed back home. Only after supper when I wanted to recite my rosary, I found my rosary missing! Frankly speaking I was perturbed for long. Not that the Rosary was anything special but just that it was convenient and handy one. Furthermore the thought that I might have dropped it in the liquor shop was not very comforting. This morning during meditation as I remembered it again, I said to myself... perhaps if I were to feel just half as bad as this when I don't recite/pray the rosary, I would already have been a saint!!

Anyway, I happily discovered the rosary under the driver's seat of the sumo this morning. Hope to recover also the 'Rosary' within too!