A gift is precious particularly when it is the result of self-denial, when one deprives oneself of what is given. And the Word, in a particular way, deprived himself of his divine riches to be able to become one of us. The poverty of God is an expression of his agape, of his being love. –Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. CAP.
Intention: Lord, please bless us with a President and Justice Department whom are non-partisan in their actions. I thank You God ahead of time for this.
Saturday: Faith
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
—Luke 7:50
Reflection:
The angel announced to Mary that the Baby she was to conceive
by the power of God would be called the Son of the Most High
(thus, divine). She had tremendous faith; thank God she did not
succumb to the devil’s temptation to say “no” to the mission
out of fear.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of faith, which allows me to reject the
temptations of the devil, and to have the courage to obey God
in His call to me. Amen.
Saturday: Charity
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall
reap our harvest, if we do not give up.
—Galatians 6:9
Reflection:
When Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”
(Luke 1:46), she was charitably praising the Lord. In so doing,
her soul was being formed more to the image of the Lord—the
image of Christ.
Prayer:
Because of Mary’s charity, she rushed to aid Elizabeth when
she was with child. All the other virtues rest upon the virtue of
charity (i.e., love). Lord, I pray for the virtue of charity, which
is a cornerstone virtue. Amen.
Saturday: Humility
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,/ for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
—Matthew 5:3
Reflection:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Bethlehem means “House
of Bread.” He humbly came down to become the Living Bread
descended from heaven.
Prayer:
Jesus was the ultimate example of humility, emptying Himself
and taking on the form of a man. Dear Lord, I pray for the
virtue of humility, which is also known as being poor in spirit.
Amen.
Saturday: Justice
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
—Matthew 5:17
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother offered the Baby Jesus as an oblation to
God, as was considered appropriate under the Law. But this was
also an expression of Mother Mary’s and St. Joseph’s gratitude
to God for the gift that was given to them.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of justice, of which the Ten Commandments
and the Beatitudes are expressions. Amen.
Saturday: Prudence
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,/ for
they will be satisfied.
—Matthew 5:6
Reflection:
We should always be seeking Jesus Christ because He is Life.
He is Life because He causes us to live righteously on earth and
live in eternity with God.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of prudence, which means to reason rightly
about one’s actions in the present moment—to live those actions
righteously, and to create a happy, pleasant future. Amen.
