“It is possible, in other words, to begin to live here and now the way will live in the definitive establishment of the kingdom, where earthly good will no longer have any value but where God will be all in all.” — Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M., CAP.
If Jesus humbled Himself to experience death on a cross, even, we must be able to live in simplicity and poverty, and still find the Kingdom of Heaven.
Intention: I have my trust and confidence in Almighty God. He is my source.
Monday: Trust in Holy Spirit
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
He is the image of the invisible God,/ the firstborn of all
creation.
—Colossians 1:15
Reflection:
Mary gave her fiat to God in a pure way; she did not question
or laugh at the angel when he asked her to become the mother
of God. From her, we learn how important it is to surrender to
God’s desire for us in an uncomplicated and trusting manner,
free of doubts and anxieties.
Prayer:
Jesus, please help me to enter into the unfamiliar territory to
which You lead me in life. Help me to trust in the grace of my
baptism into the Holy Spirit, knowing that that same Spirit will
be there for me to aid me in all my needs. Amen.
Monday: Praise From Holy Spirit
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
God mounts the throne amid shouts of joy;/ the Lord, amid
trumpet blasts./ Sing praise to God, sing praise;/ sing praise to
our king, sing praise.
—Psalm 47:6–7
Reflection:
Elizabeth and Mary, with their as-yet-unborn children John
and Jesus, came together to form an association of joy that
was fueled by a burst of praise from the Holy Spirit. This was
expressed with holiness in Mary’s Magnificat.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You give us Your love, joy and light every day, and
we can be aware of these blessings when we take the time to
pray and listen to You. Assist me in letting go of any guilt that
may linger after my sin has been confessed and I have received
absolution. Amen.
Monday: Empty Ourselves
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in
Christ Jesus,/ Who, though he was in the form of God,/ did not
regard equality with God/ something to be grasped./ Rather,
he emptied himself,/ taking the form of a slave,/ coming in
human likeness;/ and found human in appearance,/ he humbled
himself,/ becoming obedient to death,/ even death on a cross.
—Philippians 2:5–8
Reflection:
The Child Jesus was born in a lowly stable amongst the animals,
yet Mary and Joseph realized that He was the Son of God.
They teach us that no situation is a cause for feelings of gloom,
because God is still in control, even when we cannot see it.
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, help me to empty myself of pride and self-interest,
and embrace the power of Your gospel message, that I may live
it out and share it always. Amen.
Monday: God is Love
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
[The Lord] said: They are indeed my people,/ children who
are not disloyal;/ So he became their savior/ in their every
affliction./ It was not a messenger or an angel,/ but he himself
who saved them./ Because of his love and pity/ he redeemed
them himself,/ Lifting them and carrying them/ all the days
of old.
—Isaiah 63:8–9
Reflection:
Mary accepted Simeon’s foreboding message without cringing,
because it came through him from God—Who is Love. She
seemed to understand that Divine Love would always find a
way to make joy out of sorrow and hope out of despair.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, King and Center of All Hearts, please inspire me
to dedicate myself to Your redeeming purpose in the world, so
that I may be Your arms, hands and legs in carrying out Your
grand plan of salvation for my brothers, my sisters and myself.
Amen.
Monday: God’s Mysterious Ways
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a
wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing
away. Rather we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden,
which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and
which none of the rulers of this age knew, for if they had known
it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
—1 Corinthians 2:6–8
Reflection:
Mary and Joseph must have been on an emotional roller coaster
for the three days searching for Jesus and then finally finding
Him in the temple. Yet still, they managed to keep saying “yes”
to God in all His unusual and incomprehensible ways.
Prayer:
Dear God, You are mysterious in the way You permit or allow
things to happen in our lives, and in how Your wisdom unfolds
in our lives. Please give me the strength to hang onto the
emotional roller coaster of life while trusting in You—trusting
that You are accomplishing something incomprehensibly
worthwhile in my life. Amen.
