“What is baptism? It is the first and most necessary sacrament of the New Law, by which we are enrolled among the heirs of eternal life, because once it is conferred in water, by which we are spiritually reborn, and gain a full remission of sins, we are adopted into the sons of God….” –Saint Peter Canisius (+ 1597)
Intention: In Jesus’ name, please bless America with a moral, law-abiding, and God-honoring society, so that we are worthy of self-governance.
Monday: Yes, to God
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin
shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
—Isaiah 7:14
Reflection:
As prophesied by Isaiah, the Virgin Mary did indeed deliver a
Son, Who was Jesus Christ, the Son of God—the second Person
of the Trinity.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Mary was given the gift of becoming the
mother of God because she loved You so much and because she
said “yes” to You. Hear my prayer as I say “yes” to You with
all my love, also. Amen.
Monday: As I Would Be Treated
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
—Luke 6:31
Reflection:
Mary made the trek to Zachariah’s house to visit Elizabeth,
who was going to have a baby in her old age—a baby boy, John,
who would grow up to become John the Baptist. Mary went
out of deep charity to help her.
Prayer:
Dearest Holy Spirit, Spirit of Holiness and Justice, mirror back
to me how well I treat others as I would want to be treated, how
well I forgive others when they have harmed me and how I can
improve on these intentions, in the future. Amen.
Monday: Clothe with love
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of
a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption.
—Galatians 4:4–5
Reflection:
Jesus was born as a human being, yet He was also the Son of
God. Being the Son of God, He was able to ransom us from
sin’s bondage and be with us always, even to the end of time.
Prayer:
Jesus, I recognize that You are right beside me and that I can
talk to You anytime. Please clothe me with Your love. Amen.
Monday: Obeying Authorities
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Lo, I am sending my messenger/ to prepare the way before
me;/ And suddenly there will come to the temple/ the Lord
whom you seek,/ And the messenger of the covenant whom
you desire.
—Malachi 3:1
Reflection:
Simeon waited a long time for the Lord to come to the temple,
and finally, He did come when Simeon was a very old man.
Mother Mary and St. Joseph presented Jesus there because
they were following the laws of that time; they were obeying
authority.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, please assist
me to obey the authorities in my life with cooperation and
willingness. Amen.
Monday: Relate to Father
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
O God, within your temple/ we ponder your steadfast love.
—Psalm 48:10
Reflection:
Jesus was twelve years old when He stayed in the temple for
three days to talk with the doctors there about God’s teachings
for us. He called the temple His Father’s house, because He was
speaking of His Father in heaven as His real Father, meaning
that He was God’s Son.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your Son taught us to call You “Father,” as
we do when we pray the “Our Father” prayer. Please show me
how I can relate to You better, as my dear Abba—my Papa, my
Daddy. Amen.
