“Always seek this beautiful virtue of humility, which the Blessed Virgin will teach you. She will make you live in the truth, so you might love and serve only the Lord.” –Saint Maria Maravillas of Jesus (+ 1974)
Intention: Lord, thank You for blessing America. Thank You for blessing America!
Tuesday: God’s Gentleness is Grace
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked,
“Lord, shall we strike with a sword?” And one of them struck
the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said
in reply, “Stop, no more of this!” Then he touched the servant’s
ear and healed him.
—Luke 22:49–51
Reflection:
When we suffer cruelty, our best recourse is to throw ourselves
into God’s arms and into His benevolence. His gentleness is
grace.
Prayer:
Guardian Angel, let me know if there is anyone in my
environment who is suffering, so that I may comfort them for
a little while, and help them endure it. Amen.
Tuesday: Refuse to Whip
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
For [Pilate] knew that it was out of envy that they had handed
him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent
him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man.
I suffered much in a dream today because of him.”
—Matthew 27:18–19
Reflection:
Jesus endured a scourging, which was a vicious punishment
that was invented by those who enjoyed inflicting harm upon
others.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, Eternal Wisdom, for all the times that I refuse
to whip others with my tongue, please use it for the sake of
peace on earth. Amen.
Tuesday: Teach Through Silence
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am
bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no
guilt in him.”
—John 19:4
Reflection:
It sometimes takes some wee little suffering on our part – such
as to bear a little disrespect – in order to teach others who
are ignorant of God’s laws. In our silence, we can sometimes
instruct more than words could ever do. For example, the
centurion and guards who were keeping watch over Jesus said,
“Truly, this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54) after He
bore His passion with such silent suffering.
Prayer:
“King of the Jews” was the ironic truism that Pontius Pilate
had inscribed above Jesus’s head on the Cross. Jesus, You are the
legitimate King of Heaven and Earth! Inspire in me how I can
help to bring others to You. Amen.
Tuesday: Yoke Me to Jesus
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and
humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.
—Matthew 11:29
Reflection:
Jesus’s fervor while carrying His Cross seems to be almost a
crime; why would He adore it so much? It seems that no matter
what His torturers did to Him, He still yearned to complete
His mission.
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, You went to Your death for the benefit of sinners.
Enlighten those who despise Your Cross as mere folly. Yo k e
me to Yourself as I carry my cross to the finish line. Amen.
Tuesday: Divine Mercy
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying,
“Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three
days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.”
—Mark 15:28–30
Reflection:
Everything that Jesus did on the Cross, such as absolving His
executioners, promising heaven to the “good thief” and giving
His mother to us as our mother, reveals a divine mercy inside of
Him that is hard for mortal men to fathom. Jesus quotes Psalm
22, which at its end praises God and declares that all the ends of
the earth will turn to Him – even while He is in the throes of
His most agonizing passion. There was never a truer devotion;
nor, a more divine mercy!
Prayer:
Jesus Christ, out of Your pierced side came the Blood and
Water of Your divine tenderness. Pour out Your goodwill over
everyone who thinks only of themselves, their occupations and
their daily lives, so that they may be converted, repent, receive
Your Holy Spirit and come to faith in You. Amen.
