Holy
Rosary Month - Day 10: Joyful Mysteries 3
The
Nativity: In
the third joyful mystery we meditate on the birth
of Jesus. The
center of joyful mysteries is the third mystery of the birth of the long
awaited Messiah. The birth of Jesus was announced by an angel of the Lord to
some shepherds in the night, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with the good news for
you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s
town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to
you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in manger.” (Lk
2:10-12) The Emmanuel prophecy/sign that was given to the forefathers in the
book of Isaiah (Is 7:14) has now become true. A moment of joy for both the heaven
and the earth; the heavenly joy is well expressed through the singing by an
army of the angels, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to
those with whom he is pleased.” (Lk 2:14) As with the joy of Mary who hasted to
visit Elizabeth, the shepherds hurried off with joy and found Mary and Joseph
and saw the baby lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:15, 16) The same earthly joy
continued in the visit and offerings of the three wise men. It is with great
joy they too traveled all through the way from the East to Jerusalem and
asking, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star
when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.” (Mt 2:2) The
same joy is commemorated in our Christmas celebrations especially in making the
crib. We prepare the manger beautifully with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, angel,
shepherds and sheep, wise men and camels, star etc. And the joy is carried
always with us and is again well manifested in the Gloria singing in the Latin
liturgy and in the opening formula of the Syrian Liturgy. This joy makes the
foundation for the joy of the gospel in our daily life; we are no more afraid
of any slavery, human or Satanic, for we have a Redeemer and Savior. He is Emmanuel;
“God with us” Am I even today afraid of anything? Do I believe that Jesus is my
Savior? “He has called us to live in peace;” (I Cor 7:15) for “he is our peace.”
(Eph 2:14)
Prayer:
Oh Mary, mother
of Jesus! We come to you for your maternal help and protection. Mary our mother
and guide help us to believe that Jesus is our sole Savior; he only saves me
from all my fears, problems, and difficulties. In this holy mystery we
specially pray for those who lead a life of fear, of satanic influence, and of
the wrong belief of ancestors’ curse. Let them be filled with the real spirit
of joy and peace and experience that Jesus the Savior is with them always.
Amen!
Greetings:
Wish you all a nice and blissful Marian Friday!
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