“Look, O Jesus, how my ship has to struggle against the immense waves of difficulty and dangers. Please, do watch over it, and never let it be submerged. I have a great trust in you. I abandon myself to you; and, in so doing, I feel a deep tranquility descend into my heart.” –Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (+ 1917)
Intention: Father, thank You that every part of my day can be exciting when I allow Jesus to step in and be a part of it!
Thursday: Protection From Evil
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.
—Matthew 3:16
Reflection:
In the waters of the Jordan, Christ instituted Christian baptism
and was affirmed as being pleasing to the Father—through the
Father’s own voice.
Prayer:
It is wonderful to reflect that in my baptism, I died to sin
and rose up with Jesus in new life. Jesus, I thank You for the
protection from evil that my baptism has afforded me. I am
grateful to You for the countless negative things that might have
happened that didn’t happen, because of my baptism. Amen.
Thursday: Bridegroom of My Soul
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana
Scripture:
As a young man marries a virgin,/ your Builder shall marry
you;/ And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride/ so shall your
God rejoice in you.
—Isaiah 62:5
Reflection:
In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and
Israel was often portrayed as the relationship between the
bridegroom and the bride. Jesus also inferred that there would
be a matrimonial relationship between Himself and His church,
in which He would be the Bridegroom, and His church would
be the bride. In this way, it was appropriate that He would
perform His first miracle at a wedding feast.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the Bridegroom of my soul. Help me to do as
You have commanded me, for the love of You—inspire me to
serve my brothers and sisters more completely. Amen.
Thursday: Never Take for Granted
3rd Luminous Mystery: The
Proclamation of the Kingdom
Scripture:
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has
shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves
little.
—Luke 7:47
Reflection:
In His public ministry, Jesus usually forgave people their sins
at the same time that He healed them. When He pardoned
the sinful woman, her love for Jesus was magnified through
this forgiveness. Jesus showed her kindness when most others
wouldn’t have given her any acknowledgment at all.
Prayer:
My sweet Jesus, I love You for forgiving me for my sins, both
large and small. I promise to never take for granted Your
sacrifice on the Cross for me. Let me never be presumptuous
toward You. Amen.
Thursday: Crowning Glory
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his
clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were
conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory
and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in
Jerusalem.
—Luke 9:29–31
Reflection:
When Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor, He was joined
by Moses and Elijah, who had laid the groundwork for Him
to complete. According to Jewish belief they would return to
behold the Messiah. Their work already done, they nevertheless
came to consult with Jesus, to encourage Him and to embolden
Him for His journey to the Cross.
Prayer:
Jesus, the redemption You achieved for us by Your death on the
Cross was Your crowning glory. I praise You, along with Moses
and Elijah. Amen.
Thursday: Receiving
Holy Communion
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave
it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for
you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they
had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.”
—Luke 22:19–20
Reflection:
At the Last Supper, Jesus initiated the memorial of His suffering,
death and resurrection: the Holy Eucharist. He wished to leave
the gift of the Holy Eucharist for His disciples and us as a
foretaste of the gifts of heaven.
Prayer:
Blood of Jesus, Pledge of Eternal Life, inspire me to
commemorate the spiritual freedom that You won for me on
Calvary, by receiving You in Holy Communion with reverence
and thanking You afterward. Amen.
