“Today Christ called these apostles to bring about the true and eternal salvation of the world. They opened a fountain of living waters for the whole world; they made the hard and heavy iron of the human heart rise upwards…by preaching the cross of Christ; they multiplied the bread of the word of God and heavenly doctrine, which is the bread of eternal life for the world; they blinded the world in the wisdom of the flesh and enlightened it with the wisdom of the spirit; they opened the eyes of the world to see invisible and heavenly secrets; they put to flight the armies of hell and brought an abundance of spiritual nourishment to the Church of God; and, after Christ, they even became the cause of eternal life for those dead to the world.” –Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (+ 1619)
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.
Thursday: Adopted Child
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be
baptized by him.
—Matthew 3:13
Reflection:
Jesus was already being called “the Lamb of God” by John
the Baptist, at His baptism. He participated in baptism to be
in solidarity with all of us, that when He went through His
passion, death and resurrection, He would carry us along with
Him, as well.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for empowering me at my baptism, and
making me an adopted child of God. Amen.
Thursday: New Eve
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
Scripture:
[And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect
me? My hour has not yet come.”
—John 2:4
Reflection:
Since the earliest days of Christianity, Christians have believed
that Mary was “the new Eve.” Eve was led to sin through
arrogance. Mary helped to bring about our redemption.
Prayer:
Mary said, “Do what He tells you,” which is a command for
me to follow in the present time. Lord Jesus, Zealous for Souls,
make everything happen for my well-being and for the well-being of others. Amen.
Thursday: Anxiety
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation
of the Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture:
So do not worry and say, “What are we to eat?” or “What
are we to drink?” or “What are we to wear?” All these things
the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need
them all.
—Matthew 6:31–32
Reflection:
If we are feeling anxiety and angst in our lives, it is a sign that
we are not putting God’s will first in our minds. When we
do put God’s will first, we can be assured that the outcome of
events will be the best one.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to live according to Your will, in confidence
and trust in Your Providence. Amen.
Thursday: Radiating the Spirit
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing
with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good
that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one
for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
—Matthew 17:3–4
Reflection:
The transfiguration of Jesus was prefigured by the Exodus story
of Moses, when he went up Mount Sinai with three of his
closest friends, who were in awe over his glowing face.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, aid me in radiating the Holy Spirit’s fruits of love,
joy and peace, and thereby enable me to be transformed. Amen.
Thursday: Memorial
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
When the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread arrived, the day
for sacrificing the Passover lamb, he sent out Peter and John,
instructing them, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the
Passover.”
— Luke 22:7–8
Reflection:
Jesus made Himself the Passover Lamb at the Last Supper, by
sacrificing His Body and Blood for all mankind. He commanded
the apostles to commemorate this in the Holy Eucharist, as a
memorial of His suffering, death and resurrection. In the Jewish
sense, this memorial is a way of making it present again. We
speak of the Mass as a sacrifice, because it is making present the
one sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, forever.
Prayer:
Father, spread Your healing love across the world through the
Holy Eucharist, to put an end to all strife and division. Amen.
