“If the blessed Stephen, facing that shower of stones, had not thought about the rewards to come, how could he have borne that terrible hailstorm? But he was bearing in mind the instruction of the one whose presence he could observe in heaven; and reaching out to him with the most ardent love, he longed to leave the flesh behind as soon as possible, and to fly off to him.” –Saint Augustine (+ 430)
Intention: Lord, please bless us with a Constitution that functions as it was intended to function. I thank You God ahead of time for this.
Thursday: Renewal of
Baptismal Promises
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
Jesus said to [John the Baptist] in reply, “Allow it now, for thus
it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
—Matthew 3:15
Reflection:
The Bible says that we should be baptized just as Jesus was and
that we would receive the Holy Spirit and sanctifying grace in
baptism.
Prayer (Renewal of Baptismal Promises):
I reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises. I
believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and
earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who
was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was
buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand
of the Father. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body and life everlasting. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has given us a new
birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins.
May He also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ forever
and ever. Amen.
Thursday: Into Jesus’s Hands
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
Scripture:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of
things not seen.
—Hebrews 11:1
Reflection:
Jesus revealed that He was the Son of God by bringing forth
miracles that people could see, to increase their faith in Him.
In this first miracle at Cana, Mary did not direct Jesus to do
anything; she merely told Him what the problem was, and left
Him to decide what to do and how to do it, while telling the
servers to “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).
Prayer:
Blessed Mother, House of Gold, I have faith in Jesus. Please put
the following petition into His gentle hands, so that He can
decide what to do with it: _______________. Amen.
Thursday: Reading Scripture
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation
of the Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture:
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my
Father in heaven.
—Matthew 7:21
Reflection:
Jesus traveled around the Holy Land for three years teaching
the disciples. It is important to study the teachings of Jesus and
to do our best to follow in His footsteps.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please guide me in reading and contemplating the
scriptures. Help me to get the deeper meaning out of them.
Amen.
Thursday: Put Jesus First
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss
because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything
as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord.
—Philippians 3:7–8
Reflection:
When Jesus Christ showed Himself in transfigured glory to
Peter, James and John, He was showing them that He was not
only a human man, but that He was also the Son of God.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, King of Glory, I know that You are the Son of God.
Grant me the grace that I would always put You first in my life,
above all other people and things. Amen.
Thursday: Attending Mass
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the
desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from
heaven so that one may eat it and not die.
—John 6:48–50
Reflection:
Jesus told the disciples to take bread and wine and consecrate
them so that we could receive Him (Body, Blood, Soul and
Divinity) in Communion. He said to do this in remembrance
of Him. The consecration of the Holy Eucharist is a miracle in
which we can participate at every Mass.
Prayer:
Father, I am certain that Jesus is the Bread of Life. I know that
partaking of the Blessed Sacrament is healing and helpful for
me. Help me to be diligent about attending Mass and receiving
Communion as often as possible. Amen.
