“Now, he who has raised him from the dead will raise us also, provided we do his will, make his commandments our rule of life, and love what he loves; if we abstain from every kind of wrongdoing, avarice, love of money, slander, and false testimony; if we do not repay wrong with wrong, abuse with abuse, blow with blow, curse with curse, but, on the contrary, bear in mind what the Lord taught when he said: Do not judge, that you may not be judged; forgive, and you will be forgiven; show mercy, that you may have mercy shown you; the measure you use in measuring will be used in measuring out your share; and Blessed are the humble souls and those that are persecuted for conscience’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” –Saint Polycarp (+ 156)
Intention: Lord, I call in healing and righteousness for America. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday: Christ’s Mind
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me
and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can
do nothing.
—John 15:5
Reflection:
In Christian spirituality, we are called to be grafted onto
Christ’s vine and conform ourselves and our lives to Him more
completely every day. In this way, we clothe ourselves with
Christ (Galatians 3:27), and become members of His Mystical
Body.
Prayer:
O Lord Jesus, Our True Vine, thank you for making me a
part of Your Mystical Body through my baptism. Assist me
to conform my mind to Your mind, and my actions to Your
actions. Help me to bear fruit for the good of souls. Amen.
Thursday: Obedience
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
Scripture:
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”
—John 2:5
Reflection:
In a sense, Mary was a teacher to the servants when she told
them, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). In the Rosary, she
teaches us about Christ by inviting us to peer through her eyes
at the different scenes of His life, doing whatever He tells us.
Prayer:
O Mother Mary, Mother Most Pure, teach me to be obedient to
what Christ tells me to do, a little bit more each day. Through
your intercession, help me to identify my shortcomings and
overcome them. Amen.
Thursday: Asking
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation
of the Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock
and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks,
receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who
knocks, the door will be opened.
—Matthew 7:7–8
Reflection:
The reason for Jesus’s confident urging is because of the power
of the Trinity. The Father is loving; Jesus is our advocate (1
John 2:1); and the Holy Spirit intercedes with inexpressible
groanings (Romans 8:26). With God totally on our side, who
can be against us?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I ask You to fill all my needs, both large and
small. Remind me to do my best, and entrust myself to You.
Amen.
Thursday: Christ’s Importance
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen
Son; listen to him.”
—Luke 9:35
Reflection:
The Father exhorted the disciples to “Listen to Him” (Luke
9:35), so that they could come to an understanding of Jesus’s
passion. Then they could experience the gladness of the
resurrection, and ultimately be transformed by the Holy Spirit
at Pentecost.
Prayer:
God the Father commands me to listen to Christ, His Son.
What could possibly give more importance to Christ’s words?
Heart of Jesus, Of Whose Fullness We Have All Received, I
promise to try to talk with You about everything I am going
through today and listen for Your response. Amen.
Thursday: Holy Eucharist
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the
world and he loved them to the end.
—John 13:1
Reflection:
When Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, He offered His Body
and Blood in the form of bread and wine for the salvation of all
humanity, with whom He promised to be until the end of time.
Prayer:
It is my most sacred honor to partake of the Body and Blood of
our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Dearest Jesus,
Our Way and Our Life, I am so blessed by You. Thank you!
Amen.
