The Joyful Mysteries: Meditation on the joy at the anticipation and arrival of the long awaited Messiah.
The first Mystery: The Annunciation “Be it done unto me” -Luke 1:38
My God, when I interviewed for Maggie’s Place, I heard your invitation. It was an invitation to put my trust in you and rely on your will to partake in this mission to love and serve pregnant women and their babies. An invitation to welcome Christ in my life (through the moms and babies) in a radical way and bear His life within me. Like the Virgin Mary, your handmaid, help me to respond every day with my own Fiat, be it done unto me according to thy word. May I surrender everything to you with faith so to bring about joy in this ministry.
The second Mystery: The Visitation “At the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” – Luke 1:44
My God, I seek to be an instrument of your love by bringing Christ to those around me, especially my community members at Maggie’s Place, whether moms, Corps, staff, donors, volunteers or guests. Help me to do so with love that at Your words the hearts of those around me may leap for joy at Your presence.
The third Mystery: The Nativity “And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn ” – Luke 2:7
Lord, at Maggie’s Place it is our hope to be the inn for our moms, to make all the proper arrangements for the birth of their babies, to provide support and safety. We often feel like we’re falling so short of the goal to provide a safe and loving place, prepared to perfection to welcome the women who come to our doors and their babies. Yet you came in so humble a form to remind us that everything is by Your grace and it is left to us only to marvel at You and Your works.
The fourth Mystery: The Presentation “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation” – Luke 2:29-30
Lord, how many privileged opportunities you provide me to see your promises fulfilled! I have had the blessing of seeing moms reunited with children, our material needs miraculously provided in a donation, a difficult conversation bearing greater respect and understanding on both sides, moms teaching me something new about life, love and You. I get to witness to miracles and the generosity of the human soul guided by Your grace. I have seen the foreshadowings of Heaven.
The fifth Mystery: Finding Jesus in the Temple “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” – Luke 2:49
My Lord, how often do I find myself so wrapped in my own plans and daily routine that I become distracted with the true goal of my mission here: to love those around me. Yet You are so far beyond what is happening, You see everything at once to its perfect end. In my moments of frustration and confusion I realize that I have lost sight of You and must seek You again. I always find You and You remind me that all is grace. In You I have nothing to fear and through You I have so much to give. Finding You is the source of joy, peace and love in my life and I eagerly anticipate Your coming again.
By Lety Sanchez, a MissionCorps member
