The Joyful Mysteries
 

The First Joyful Mystery
THE ANNUNCIATION

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said: "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women". And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.And the angel said unto her:" Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest"... And Mary said:" Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word". And the angel departed from her. (Luk 1,26-38)

  1. The time for the Incarnation is at hand.
  2. Of all women God prepared Mary from her conception to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.
  3. The Angel Gabriel announces: "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee."
  4. Mary wonders at this salutation.
  5. The Angel assures her: "Fear not . . . you shall conceive in your womb, and give birth to a Son."
  6. Mary is troubled for she has made a vow of virginity.
  7. The Angel answers that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and her Son will be called the Son of God.
  8. The Incarnation awaits Mary's consent.
  9. Mary answers: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word."
  10. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Spiritual Fruit: Humility

The Second Joyful Mystery
THE VISITATION

Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and she spake out with a loud voice, and said: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb". ... And Mary said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name"...(Luk 1,39-49)

  1. Mary's cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing is impossible with God.
  2. Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.
  3. The journey to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.
  4. Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word.
  5. At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's womb.
  6. Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
  7. "How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
  8. "Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."
  9. Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior."
  10. 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

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger". (Luk 2,6-12)

  1. Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar Augustus.
  2. The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the inn.
  3. In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave, Mary remaining a Virgin.
  4. She wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger.
  5. In unspeakable joy Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of her virginity.
  6. Jesus enters the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment from earthly things.
  7. The angel announces to the shepherds: "Today there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."
  8. The angelic chorus sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth."
  9. The shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus.
  10. The Magi come to adore the Holy Child and offer Him gifts.

Spiritual Fruit: Poverty of Spirit

The Fourth Joyful Mystery

THE PRESENTATION

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ...When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation... A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."(Luk 2,22-35)

  1. Observing the law of Moses they take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord.
  2. According to the Law the firstborn male child of every family should be consecrated to the Lord.
  3. Mary offers her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price paid by the poor.
  4. Jesus is not subject to the law of Moses, yet to teach obedience, submits to it.
  5. Mary is not subject to the law of purification, yet in humility she submits to it.
  6. God had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah.
  7. Recognizing the Child, he prays: "Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word."
  8. "This Child is destined to be the downfall and rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed."
  9. And to Mary Simeon reveals: "And your own soul a sword shall pierce."
  10. 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

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him: "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing". And he said unto them: "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (Luk 2,41-51)

  1. When Jesus is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
  2. After the feast of the Passover, Joseph and Mary unknowingly set out for Nazareth without Jesus.
  3. At the end of the first day's journey they discover Jesus is missing.
  4. His parents return immediately looking for Him.
  5. This loss causes grief and anxiety beyond our understanding to the hearts of Mary and Joseph.
  6. On the third day they find Jesus in the Temple among the Doctors who were astonished at His wisdom.
  7. Mary: "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow."
  8. Jesus: "Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?"
  9. Jesus goes down with them to Nazareth, and is subject to them.
  10. Mary keeps all these things in her heart.

Spiritual Fruit: Obedience


 

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