“How could you explain such faith in a country where atheism and fear were the order of the day? There was no explanation except the traditional one: such faith was a gift from God, as faith always is. God was a reality for these people, a reality they clung to and placed ahead of all other personal considerations.” –Servant of God Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. (+ 1984)
It is my commitment to my relationship with Jesus that will get me through any situation.
Intention: Thank You God that You’re in control. Thank You that You’re working behind the scenes.
Thursday: The Strong Man
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he
takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the
spoils.
—Luke 11:22
Reflection:
In Jesus’s baptism, He descended into the dwelling of Satan and
fought with the “strong man” spoken of in Luke 11:21-22. Jesus
was stronger than Satan and was able to take our sins upon His
shoulders and release us from the power of Satan.
Prayer:
Jesus was baptized in order to demonstrate that we start our
Christian journey through baptism. As part of my baptismal
promises, I reject Satan and all his works and empty promises.
Amen.
Thursday: Jesus’s Abundant Giving
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
Scripture:
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial
washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
—John 2:6
Reflection:
Jesus generously turned the water to fine wine at the wedding
feast at Cana. This was a sign that God’s feast table was spread,
to begin sharing the abundance of blessings that Jesus had to
give us.
Prayer:
The messianic time, when God’s wedding celebration began,
started with Your coming, dear Jesus. Please give me an
awareness of Your abundance of blessings and help me to be
grateful always. Amen.
Thursday: Communion With Jesus
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation
of the Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture:
Through him was life,/ and this life was the light of the human
race;/ the light shines in the darkness,/ and the darkness has
not overcome it.
—John 1:4–5
Reflection:
This new Kingdom of which Jesus spoke is so near to us because
it is located in Jesus Himself, and Jesus is with us. It can be found
in the here-and-now of time and space; that is always where
God operates. Now that Jesus has come, God can function in
the world in a whole new way.
Prayer:
Communion with Jesus is the key to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, help me to keep my focus in
the light of the here-and-now, where You reside. I know that
my relationship with You is the most important relationship of
my life. Amen.
Thursday: Light-being
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not
be afraid.”
—Matthew 17:7
Reflection:
The transfiguration vividly showed the disciples what transpired
when Jesus prayed to His Father: His face changed and His
clothes became dazzling white. It was as if He became light
itself.
Prayer:
Jesus, after Peter confessed that You were “the Son of the
living God” (Matthew 16:16), You showed him Your “Light-Being” (Matthew 17:1–8). Please give me a little glimpse of
Your “Light-Being,” also. Amen.
Thursday: Total Gift of Himself
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles.
—Luke 22:14
Reflection:
Jesus gave His total self – His Body, His Blood – for the
atonement of all sin, for all time. However, beforehand, He
instituted the Holy Eucharist, instructing His disciples at the
Last Supper to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
Prayer:
We, the many, partake of Christ’s Body and His Blood, as the
Sacrament that is the source and summit of our faith. Heavenly
Father, help me to be truly grateful for the Blessed Sacrament,
which is Jesus’s Body and Blood. Amen.
