“The world is obsessed by suffering, and everyone who thinks at all asks, and has a perfect right to ask, what all this suffering means, what purpose, if any, does it serve, why is it allowed? Questions which can only be answered in the light of Christ’s coming to earth to take the burden of man’s sin upon himself, and living on in men, that they might take the glory of his redeeming love to be their own.” –Caryll Houselandler (+ 1954)
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.
Monday: Nothing Impossible for God
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in
her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called
barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.
—Luke 1:36–37
Reflection:
Humble Mary was very surprised at the angel’s message, because
she was just a simple girl, living a simple life. But she trusted
deeply in God, although she did not understand His ways.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, You tell me to trust You, and not to be afraid,
because nothing is impossible for You. For all migrants and
refugees, please give them secure homes in their new countries.
Amen.
Monday: Everything is God’s Gift
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
From [God] and through him and for him are all things. To
him be glory forever.
—Romans 11:36
Reflection:
Mary’s Magnificat is a canticle of worship to God to praise
Him for His history of salvation for all peoples, as well as for
how He had blessed her personally. She saw all of it as God’s
glorious gift to us.
Prayer:
By accepting everything that comes to us as a gift from God,
it frees us up from a lot of resistance in our lives. Dear Lord, I
thank You for all of Your gifts. Please show me how to use them
for the greater good of all the world. Amen.
Monday: Jesus Lowered Himself
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds
said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this
thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known
to us.”
—Luke 2:15
Reflection:
Jesus came down from heaven to be with us, and to show us that
the Father loves us tenderly, passionately and unconditionally.
The shepherds were the first to see Him, because they were
counted as the outcasts of Judea. “Many who are first will be
last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 19:30).
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, You lowered Yourself down to our level for a
time, for the sake of giving us Your many blessings. Please raise
me up to heaven when I die, to be with You. Amen.
Monday: Mary Walks by Our Side
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
If we walk in the light as he [God] is in the light, then we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus
cleanses us from all sin.
—1 John 1:7
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother understands our suffering, having had her
heart pierced, as Simeon said it would be. She walks with us
hand in hand, bringing us closer to Jesus, the light of all nations.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Comfort of the Troubled, you told Juan Diego
(the visionary who talked with Our Lady of Guadalupe), “Let
your heart not be troubled. Am I not here, who am your
mother?” Through your intercession, please walk by the side
of all our faithfully departed brothers and sisters, giving them
your sweetness and consolation. Amen.
Monday: Faith Walk
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to
festival custom.
—Luke 2:42
Reflection:
Mary had to make the same kind of pilgrimage of faith as we
do—for example, when Jesus was lost in the temple for three
days, and she couldn’t find Him. The course of her faith was
often confusing and difficult, as is ours.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Most Honored of Virgins, the path of my faith’s
development is often not clear or easy. Please pray for me to
have guidance and clarity when I feel lost or confused in my
faith walk. Amen.
