“Oh, with what love, with what tenderness does God embrace a sinner who returns to him! Let us recall again the well-known parable of the lost sheep. The Good Shepherd finds the sheep, carries it on his shoulders, takes it back home, and calls his friends to share the good news: Rejoice, because I have found the sheep that was lost (Lk 15:6).” –Saint John Bosco (+ 1888)
Intention: Lord, 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! I thank You God ahead of time for this!
Tuesday: God’s Will
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of
Olives, and the disciples followed him.
—Luke 22:39
Reflection:
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was shown all of our sins
and pain – past, present and future – and He knew that He was
going to take on all of that sin and pain on the Cross. He was
in distress seeing all our pain, and all the pain awaiting Him.
He cried out to the Father in great agony, “Father, if you are
willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours
be done” (Luke 22:42).
Prayer:
O Lord Jesus, Your awareness in the Garden of Gethsemane
of the terrible suffering awaiting You drove You to plead with
the Father; still, You complied with His will for You. Grant me
the grace to place all my actions in God’s hands, that they may
accomplish His purposes, rather than my own. Help me to trust
always in His Providence. Amen.
Tuesday: Offer up Sufferings
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called
Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”
—Matthew 27:22
Reflection:
During the scourging at the pillar, Jesus was whipped repeatedly
and the scourges ripped the flesh from his body. He lost a lot of
blood, which severely weakened Him.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, You were brutally tortured at the
scourging, yet You patiently endured it for our sake. Send Your
Spirit to strengthen me when I suffer, and remind me to offer
my pain to God, for the sake of saving souls. Be there for me
with Your endurance, when I reach the end of my rope in my
suffering. Amen.
Tuesday: Stand up for Right
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Scripture:
The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the
praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
—Mark 15:16
Reflection:
When Jesus was crowned with thorns, the soldiers were mocking
His Kingship. They drove the thorns deep into His skull, struck
Him over and over and put a reed in His hand as a mock scepter.
Prayer:
Lord, You silently endured a crown of thorns as well as the cruel
mocking and derision of the soldiers. Develop in me a courage
borne of the Holy Spirit, that I might stand up for what is right,
even in the face of ridicule or persecution. Amen.
Tuesday: Patience
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the
purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out
to crucify him.
—Mark 15:20
Reflection:
Jesus carried His Cross through the streets of Jerusalem to
Calvary. He was weak from the scourging, the beating and the
reviling of the onlookers, yet He continued carrying His Cross
patiently and resolutely.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our Sins, You trudged through the
streets of Jerusalem painfully but steadfastly. Establish in me
an abundance of patience, so that I may be forbearing in large
transgressions, as well as in smaller ones. Amen.
Tuesday: Love Enemies
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified
him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his
left.
—Luke 23:33
Reflection:
Our Lord and Savior was on the Cross for three agonizing
hours, during which time He asked the Father to forgive His
enemies.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You did what seems to be the impossible: You forgave
and loved Your enemies while they were executing You. I know
that with You, all things are possible. With Your compassion,
assist me to follow You in loving those who ridicule and judge
me, and so become a true person of love and forgiveness. Amen.
