“Before dying by the sword, let us die by pinpricks. Do you understand? Dear Céline, one day we shall go to heaven forever, and then there will no longer be day or night as there is on earth. Oh what a joy! Let us walk in peace, looking at heaven, the only goal of our works.” –Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (+ 1897)
Intention: Lord, please make of America a nation that becomes like a shining city on a hill for the rest of the world, and inspires the world to become more just, kind, peaceful, free, and resistant of Communism. I thank You God ahead of time for this.
Saturday: Move Forward
in God’s Will
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell
among you, says the Lord.
—Zechariah 2:14
Reflection:
Mary had doubts about how Jesus’s conception would take place
after the angel announced it, and so she asked how. This was not
an indication that her faith was in any weak, but just something
that faith-filled people do because they are careful and diligent.
The angel’s answer was simply that God would handle it, and
so Mary agreed to go ahead, despite her doubts.
Prayer:
Dearest Mother, Virgin Most Wise, please encourage me to
follow your example of moving forward in God’s will for my
life—in spite of my doubts and insecurities—aware that if I do,
God can do beneficial things through me. Amen.
Saturday: Love of God and Neighbor
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all
your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with
all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” [Jesus] replied to
him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
—Luke 10:27–28
Reflection:
This mystery makes us reflect on the importance to Mary of
her loved ones—her family members, such as Elizabeth—even
though she had just had the most amazing personal experience
of her young life (in the annunciation).
Prayer:
Blessed Mother, Mother of our Savior, you are an example of
someone who always loved God and neighbor in a deep and
abiding way, which was the central message that your Son
grew up to declare, to the ends of the earth. Help me, by your
intercession, to follow your example. Amen.
Saturday: Ponder the Mysteries
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
—Luke 2:19
Reflection:
Jesus was born in poverty, totally unacknowledged as the King
of the world. How Mary must have pondered the curiosity of
her Baby, who would have the throne of David, being born in
a lowly stable with nothing. God is such a mystery!
Prayer:
Dear Father, as I ponder the mysteries in my life, such as why
I was born into a particular family rather than another family,
please assist me in trusting in Your divine plan for my salvation
and the salvation of others. Amen.
Saturday: Leads Me to Christ
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Many nations shall come, and say,/ “Come, let us climb the
mount of the Lord,/ to the house of the God of Jacob,/ That he
may instruct us in his ways,/ that we may walk in his paths.”/
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,/ and the word of the
Lord from Jerusalem.
—Micah 4:2
Reflection:
The most important aspect of the presentation in the temple
are the words of Simeon when he looked at the Baby Jesus and
said, “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared
in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:30–32).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, the Blessed Mother continually leads me to
Christ, who presents me to You—just as she offered Jesus to
You in the temple so long ago. I thank You for the blessing of
her intercession, and for Your watching over me and shielding
me from harm. Amen.
Saturday: Balance Responsibilities
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
I rejoiced when they said to me,/ “Let us go to the house of
the Lord.”/ And now our feet are standing/ within your gates,
Jerusalem.
—Psalm 122:1–2
Reflection:
Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph did not understand Jesus’s
response to them about why He had stayed behind in the
temple. Perhaps they thought that He was being disrespectful
or thoughtless about their feelings. To us in hindsight, it simply
seems that He wanted to be in the house of the Lord, because of
the high calling on His life. However, He obediently returned
home with His parents, after they found Him.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, assist me to find a balance between my everyday
responsibilities and my life of prayer, service and devotion to
God. Amen.
