“What the heart of a God-man desires ultimately cannot be fully understood. But this heart of flesh — which, though transfigured, still beats in heaven — must surely be filled with ardor and tenderness, with hope and inexhaustible, never-ending love… The world of today, with its discoveries and boundless aspirations, can no longer understand it.” –Servant of God Chiara Lubich (+ 2008)
Intention: Please help us to resist communism and totalitarianism. I thank You, God, ahead of time for this.
Monday: Vocations to Religious Life
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love
covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without
complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one
another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
—1 Peter 4:8–10
Reflection:
When the shadow of iniquity was upon the human race, the
Blessed Virgin Mary’s charity and meekness motivated the
Father to send the Angel Gabriel to her, asking that very special
question, to which she responded, “Yes.”
Prayer:
Dear Father, please grant that many young people may consider
vocations to the religious life, that they may lead lives of
service and prayer, and be examples to the world of virtue and
generosity. Amen.
Monday: Magnify the Lord
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by
the Lord would be fulfilled.
—Luke 1:45
Reflection:
The Blessed Virgin Mary hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth,
to assist her during her time of pregnancy, even though she
herself was still probably very much in awe of what the angel
had just told her. Still, she magnified the Lord in all her words
and in her help for Elizabeth.
Prayer:
Dear Mother Mary, please assist me to magnify the Lord also,
by living out the virtues as best I can today. Amen.
Monday: Jesus in the Poor
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his
mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh.
—Matthew 2:11
Reflection:
God works in mysterious ways. For example, the Messiah—the
Heavenly King come down to save the world—was born in
great humility in a dank and cold cave. Then the Magi found
Him and showered Him with extremely costly gifts.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful, I ask You for the wisdom
to see You in the faces of the poor and lonely – those who have
nothing to offer me (in the world’s eyes). Amen.
Monday: Intellectual Challenges
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,/ My God, my rock
of refuge,/ my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!
—Psalm 18:3
Reflection:
What a mystery Jesus’s mission must have seemed to Mary,
when she handed him to be prophesied over by Simeon. What
a sense of responsibility she and St. Joseph must have had, to be
the protector of that mission. They trusted in God’s wisdom
and power, concerning the path that was ahead of them. God
was their rock of refuge.
Prayer:
Some children in the womb are particularly vulnerable to being
aborted before they come to term. In particular, children with
intellectual challenges are chosen by the Father to achieve
important work for the Kingdom, but in secret. Dear Lord,
please give courage to the parents of children with intellectual
challenges, and help them to accept and recognize their
children’s gifts and talents. Amen.
Monday: Family Anxiety
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and
his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished.
—Luke 2:47–48
Reflection:
The Blessed Mother was, most likely, in a seriously anxious state
for three days. She must have been wondering about what had
happened to her precious Son.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, when my family is torn apart by anxiety, dissention
and anger, please spread Your love and forgiveness over us like
a healing mist, so that we may find harmony with each other,
once again. Amen.
