Joyful Mysteries

The Angel said to Mary:

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.”

Mary replied:

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary is open to God and knows how to trust Him, even without understanding everything.

God always surprises us, breaks through our expectations and says to us:

“Trust in Me, do not be afraid, allow yourself to be surprised, and follow Me.”

Let us ask ourselves:

Do I truly allow God to enter my life?

Mary set out and went to Elizabeth’s house.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt for joy in her womb.

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.”

After the Annunciation, Mary’s first gesture is an act of charity towards Elizabeth.

And the first words she speaks are a song of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Everything is His gift.

If we can understand that everything is a gift from God, how much happiness there will be in our hearts!

Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

In that region, there were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks during the night.

An Angel of the Lord appeared to them and said:

“Do not be afraid.

For behold, I bring you good news of great joy:

today a Saviour has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord.”

Jesus entered our history and shared our journey.

In Him, the grace, mercy and tenderness of the Father were revealed.

Jesus is Love made flesh.

With the shepherds, let us remain in silence before the Child.

You are immense, and You made Yourself small;

You are rich, and You made Yourself poor;

You are almighty, and You made Yourself fragile.

Simeon took the Child Jesus in his arms and blessed God.

“Now, Lord, my eyes have seen Your salvation.”

Then, turning to Mary, he said:

“A sword will pierce your soul.”

Mary’s heart is pierced by the sword, and she understands every sorrow.

As Mother of all, she is a sign of hope for peoples who suffer.

She walks with us and continually draws us closer to the love of God.

And she offers us the caress of her maternal consolation:

“Do not let your heart be troubled.

Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”

After three days, Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple, sitting among the teachers.

When they saw Him, they were astonished.

“Son, why have You done this to us?

Your father and I have been searching for You in great anxiety!”

“Why were you looking for Me?

Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

Mary is present on the journey of faith of the Christian people.

Our journey of faith is like Mary’s and, for this reason, we feel her particularly close to us.

Along the way, which is often difficult, she goes before us and strengthens us in faith, vocation and mission.

Let us entrust our journey to her.