“Your time each day should be taken up with three things: prayer, work, and looking after your bodily needs.” –Saint John of God (+ 1550)
Intention: Lord, please preserve our rights to meaningful representation in government, the right for free speech, the right for freedom of religion, the right for freedom of assembly, the right to bear arms, and having a country with firm borders.
Wednesday: New Kind of Existence
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
And behold, Jesus met them [the women] on their way and
greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did
him homage.
—Matthew 28:9
Reflection:
Jesus’s resurrection was more than just an isolated event that
happened long ago in human history. It was an event that points
to a possibility of a new way of life – a life not subject only to
birth, life and death, but one that extends into eternity with
the Lord. It opened up a new kind of existence for all mankind.
Prayer:
Oh, dear Jesus, help me to understand the significance of Your
resurrection, as the institution of a new kind of transforming
reality for all mankind – that we have immortal lives to lead
after this journey here is over. Amen.
Wednesday: Ever-present
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
You heard me tell you, “I am going away and I will come back
to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to
the Father; for the Father is greater than I.
—John 14:28
Reflection:
Jesus has gone to the Father, and thus is closer to us now than
when He was in the world. This is because He is not in any
one particular place anymore (as when He walked the world),
but is now side by side with the Father, and present in all time
and space, in power. This is why we should rejoice that Jesus
has ascended.
Prayer:
Jesus, I am sure that I can reach out to You in my prayers, talk to
You about my life and concerns and ask You for Your assistance,
because You are ever-present to me where You exist with the
Father. I thank You, I praise You, and I bless You. Amen.
Wednesday: Footsteps of Jesus
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together
with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his
brothers.
—Acts 1:14
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother kept the faith all through the passion and
resurrection, and then in the midst of the disciples when they all
prayed for the Holy Spirit to come to them. She was a spiritual
Mother to the disciples then and to us now.
Prayer:
Dear Mother Mary, pray for me to have faith, to love like you
love and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday: Love and Peace
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
“There is one small favor I would ask of you,” she said. “Do
not refuse me.” “Ask it, my mother,” the king said to her, “for
I will not refuse you.”
—1 Kings 2:20
Reflection:
Jesus will always give His fiat to the requests of Mary, His
mother. It seems as though the woman of Revelation Chapter
12, seen as an image of the Blessed Mother, is defenseless
compared to the dragon, who is so strong and vicious. But
the woman has God on her side, and God is stronger than the
dragon. God is love in the world. Love seems defenseless, and
yet it is love that wins in the end.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to let love and peace have their way with me
today, through the intercession of Mary, who is the Queen of
Peace, and who dwells in heaven. Amen.
Wednesday: Closer to Jesus
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Nations shall behold your vindication,/ and all kings your
glory;/ You shall be called by a new name/ pronounced by the
mouth of the Lord./ You shall be a glorious crown in the hand
of the Lord,/ a royal diadem held by your God.
—Isaiah 62:2–3
Reflection:
Mary is a mother to us because she is kind, she has a sympathetic
and loving nature and she is always interested in helping to
fulfill the needs of her children. This is why we call her our
Advocate. We can always ask for her intercession.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Queen of Apostles and Martyrs, I entrust my
guidance to you, and I know that I am never alone. Pray for me
to become closer to Jesus. Amen.
