Day 18 - Plugging Along

Hi, there,
Just a note to say I'm still on the Novena. Went through a short trip and a bit of sickness, but during it all, Mother Mary's been with me. Day 18 and moving forward.

Peace and blessings to all of you today.
Tre

Faith, Hope and Charity

The three little beads after the Our Father closest to the crucifix...my father used to introduce these prior to reciting them, "to increase faith, hope and charity."

I am adding these prayers as I say the novena, courtesy of Saint Benedict Center:

It helps me concentrate on the meaning of each gift.

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

I pause here. I honestly cannot say that I believe all truths which the Catholic Church teaches, for that is why I left the church. So, I will ponder the meaning of the prayer and continue to delve inside to figure out where I belong in relation to the Church. Meanwhile, I believe the more comprehensive statement that there exists a Trinity, that Jesus died for our sins and that the living and the dead are judged.

Act of Hope

O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and Life Everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

Act of Charity

O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

If we can all move into each day acting with faith, hope and charity, we are armed to move mountains, to transmute the negative in the world to Pure Love, which is the epitome of the Holy Spirit.

Transmutation

Day Four: Joyful Mysteries

Day Four: The Joyful Mysteries

I find I really like saying the rosary to this video series. 



Complete Rosary, Joyful Mysteries

Today, I find myself aware of Mary's immense sense of responsibility when she accepted the role as Jesus' mother. This was of her own Free Will! God gave her a choice, and she said, "Yes!" 

The Joyful Mysteries

With illustrations from the booklet Praying the Rosary Without Distractions.

	The First Joyful Mystery THE ANNUNCIATION The time for the Incarnation is at hand. Of all women God prepared Mary from her conception to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word. The Angel Gabriel announces: "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee." Mary wonders at this salutation. The Angel assures her: "Fear not . . . you shall conceive in your womb, and give birth to a Son." Mary is troubled for she has made a vow of virginity. The Angel answers that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and her Son will be called the Son of God. The Incarnation awaits Mary's consent. Mary answers: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word." The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Spiritual Fruit: Humility
	The Second Joyful Mystery THE VISITATION Mary's cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing is impossible with God. Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need. The journey to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days. Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word. At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's womb. Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." "How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" "Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist. Spiritual Fruit: Love of Neighbor
	The Third Joyful Mystery THE NATIVITY Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar Augustus. The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the inn. In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave, Mary remaining a Virgin. She wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger. In unspeakable joy Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of her virginity. Jesus enters the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment from earthly things. The angel announces to the shepherds: "Today there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord." The angelic chorus sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth." The shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus. The Magi come to adore the Holy Child and offer Him gifts. Spiritual Fruit: Poverty of Spirit
	The Fourth Joyful Mystery THE PRESENTATION Observing the law of Moses they take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. According to the Law the firstborn male child of every family should be consecrated to the Lord. Mary offers her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price paid by the poor. Jesus is not subject to the law of Moses, yet to teach obedience, submits to it. Mary is not subject to the law of purification, yet in humility she submits to it. God had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah. Recognizing the Child, he prays: "Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word." "This Child is destined to be the downfall and rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed." And to Mary Simeon reveals: "And your own soul a sword shall pierce." After they fulfill all the Law requires they return to Nazareth. Spiritual Fruit: Purity of mind and body
	The Fifth Joyful Mystery THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE When Jesus is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. After the feast of the Passover, Joseph and Mary unknowingly set out for Nazareth without Jesus. At the end of the first day's journey they discover Jesus is missing. His parents return immediately looking for Him. This loss causes grief and anxiety beyond our understanding to the hearts of Mary and Joseph. On the third day they find Jesus in the Temple among the Doctors who were astonished at His wisdom. Mary: "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow." Jesus: "Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" Jesus goes down with them to Nazareth, and is subject to them. Mary keeps all these things in her heart. Spiritual Fruit: Obedience

These Joyful Mysteries courtesy of http://www.rosary-center.org/joyful.htm

How must it have felt to mother a 12-year old so certain of His Life Path that He was the teacher of all? How did Mary feel as she knew that He was fulfilling his Duty? She kept all these feelings in her heart. How difficult it must have been to carry this responsibility.

I have had a beef with the Church for not allowing women more of an active role in the leadership. What I see through new eyes today is that God chose this woman, indeed, to be a leader of the Church.