“This is a time of testing; this is a time for those who are tested to be made known… I beg you to protect your faith with great vigilance, to preserve harmony, to remain steadfast in prayer, to remember us unceasingly, that the Lord will deign to grant liberty to his Church, now in labor throughout the world, and that we who are oppressed may one day rejoice in freedom with you.” –Saint Eusebius of Vercelli (+ 371)
Sometimes, in the times in which we live, it feels like it takes all I can muster to hold onto my faith, the way St. Eusebius did. However, it doesn’t take much effort to just send up a silent “Thank You” to God, and that can relieve most of the stress!
Intention: Please bless the world with peace on earth. I expect the earth to be at peace – true peace, like that which we experience on Christmas Day, in Jesus’ name and in His mighty power!
Wednesday: Faith
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they
entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
—Luke 24:2–3
Reflection:
On the morning of the third day, Jesus Christ rose from the
dead, and appeared to the holy women and His disciples. They
worshiped and adored Him as their God and gave joyful glory
to God.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, develop within me a greater faith,
so that I may trust more in Your salvific action, and in the
place that awaits me in heaven, that You have prepared for me.
Remind me of all the times that You have shepherded me into
green pastures—in seemingly miraculous ways. Amen.
Wednesday: Hope
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
—Matthew 28:19–20
Reflection:
After His resurrection, Jesus remained on the earth for forty
days, at which time He instructed His disciples to carry on
with the Way, told them He would be with them always and
ascended into heaven while they watched Him leave.
Prayer:
Lord, please create a more trusting hope inside of me, that I may
live with expectant confidence in the ultimate triumph of God,
even in the face of the sad occurrences in life. Make this hope
be beyond any earthly hope I have ever known before. Amen.
Wednesday: Wisdom
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one
place together.
—Acts 2:1
Reflection:
In the upper room, Mary and the disciples assembled for days
to pray for the Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit came in the
form of fiery tongues over each one’s head and gave them the
knowledge of truth, the gift of tongues and all His other gifts.
Prayer:
Lord, please give me more wisdom from the Holy Spirit, so that
all my actions might come from a place of true knowledge—a
perspective of holy understanding. Remind me to keep looking
up! Amen.
Wednesday: Devotion to Mary
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
My lover speaks; he says to me,/ “Arise, my beloved, my
beautiful one, and come!”
—Song of Songs 2:10
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother Mary was assumed body and soul into
heaven. We don’t have knowledge if this happened before or
after she died, but we believe that Our Lord wanted to honor
her so much that He gave her that majestic blessing – that of
being taken up into heaven.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Crown of all Saints, bestow upon me a greater
devotion to Mary, so that when I feel I need a loving mother,
I may come to recognition of her power as an intercessor. O
Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee! Amen.
Wednesday: Trust in Mary
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Then [King Solomon] sat down upon his throne, and a throne
was provided for the king’s mother, who sat at his right.
—1 Kings 2:19
Reflection:
Our Lord Jesus was not content just to have the Blessed Virgin
Mary assumed into heaven; He also had her crowned as Queen
of Heaven and Earth, and Queen of Angels and Saints. She lives
in heaven to intercede for us anytime, day or night.
Prayer:
Lord, help those who are addicted to a substance—or a lifestyle
that blocks them from honoring their bodies—to have greater
trust in Mary’s intercession, so that when they face temptations,
they may be given the grace to overcome addictions. Amen.
