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Spiritual Resources Seven Day Rosary - The first mystery of the Church Jesus calls all men to be his disciples Each of us is called to be a disciple of Christ, and that means to be one who learns from and follows Him. The reward of discipleship is eternal life, and the price of being a follower of Jesus is the daily cross. In turn, the cross is always bearable if it is accepted in the spirit of walking with the Lord. When we accept and carry our cross with the help of the Lord Jesus, then we find that his burden is light and that He gives rest to our souls. We pray for all the missionary work of the Church.
1. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
2. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
3. "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 4. For God so loved the world that He gave his only-begotten Son.
5. So that those who believe in Him may not perish but may have everlasting life. 6. And Jesus said to all, "If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
7. "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 8. "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but ruins or loses himself?"
9. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
10. "And teach them to observe all that I have commanded you." References: Matthew 11:28-30; 28:19-20; John 3:16; Luke 9:23-25 The second mystery of the Church
Jesus personally and historically established Peter as the head of his Church. What Our Lord did to Simon is what Yahweh did to Abram, and in this we have another statement of the divinity of Christ. In response to Abram's act of faith, Yahweh changed his name to Abraham and made him the head of the Church of the Old Covenant. In response to Simon's act of faith, Jesus changed his name to Peter and made him the visible head of the Church of the New Covenant. We pray for the Pope, for all his needs and for all his intentions. 1. Jesus said to his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"
2. Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." 3. Jesus answered him and said: "Blessed are you, Simon bar Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father Who is in heaven. 4. "And I say to you, thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 5. "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
6. "And whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 7. [At the Last Supper, Jesus said:] "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has wanted to have all of you apostles that he might sift you as wheat. 8. "But I have prayed for you personally that your faith may not fail.
9. "And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
10. [After He was risen from the dead,] Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Feed my lambs . . . tend my sheep . . . feed my sheep."
References: Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-17 Verse 7: "all of you apostles" translates the Greek plural "you" referring to all the apostles. Verse 8: "you personally" translates the Greek singular "you" referring to Peter. The third mystery of the Church Christ has chosen specific, visible ways for us to receive his saving grace-the seven sacraments. In each sacrament, we meet Jesus in a slightly different way. In Baptism we meet Christ our Savior who brings us into his body. In Penance we encounter our Savior who forgives and reconciles us with his body, the Church. Preaching faith in Christ, preaching both the cross and the resurrection, teaching us how the true faith should affect our lives-these are also the work of the priest. Called by God to carry out his saving work, priests deserve and need our prayers and support. We pray for all priests, that they remain faithful to their vocation.
1. "Amen, amen I say to you, unless a man is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." 2. [Jesus said to his apostles,] "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you."
3. Then He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."
4. [And St. Paul wrote:] How are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard?
5. And how are they to hear if no one preaches? And how can men preach unless they are sent?
6. As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!". Faith depends on hearing, and hearing depends upon preaching the word of Christ.
7. [To Timothy he wrote:] I charge thee . . . preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.
8. A time will come when people will not endure sound teaching.
9. But having itching ears, they will gather for themselves teachers who will suit their own desires, and they will turn from the truth.
10. But do thou be watchful in all things, bear suffering patiently, preach the gospel, and fulfill thy ministry. References: John 3:5; 20:19-23; Romans 10:14-17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 The fourth mystery of the Church Jesus calls each of us to bring his light to the world. The Second Vatican Council clearly teaches this. We are called "to explain and defend Christian principles, and to apply them rightly to the problems of our era" ... "God's plan for the world is that men should work together" to improve the culture in which they live. The laity must see the task of renewing their society as "their own special obligation."1 We do not want to hear, "Because you are lukewarm ..., I will vomit you out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:16). We are obliged to use our gifts in God's service. We pray for the laity of the Church, especially those in positions of leadership.
1. Just as all the members of the body, many as they are, form one body, so also it is with Christ.
2. As it is, there are many members, yet one body. You are the body of Christ, member for member. 3. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away;
4. "Every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so it will bear more fruit."
5. "Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
6. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him is the one who bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
7. "In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and thus prove to be my disciples."
8. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
9. "Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket but on a lamp-stand to give light to all in the house.
10. "Even so, let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
References: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 20, 27; John 15:1-11; Matthew 5:14-16 1. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Sections 6 and 7, November 18, 1965. The fifth mystery of the Church
The Lord Jesus continues to teach his truth through his Body, the Church, and his goodness and truth attract all people of good will. On the other hand, the sins and failings of individual members of the Church are an obstacle to seeing Christ in his Church. Thus we are in this dilemma. We are members of the Church because we admit our sinfulness and our need for forgiveness and the sacraments; and yet our weaknesses obscure the truth and goodness of God's Church. The traditional saying, "The Church is always in need of reform," doesn't refer to doctrine; it means us. We pray for authentic reform and renewal in the Church, in ourselves, and in our families.
1. Jesus said to them, "I am the light of the world.
2. "He who follows Me does not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life."
3. "If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
4. "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me."
5. "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall its saltiness be restored?
6. "It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men." 7. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; love is not arrogant or rude. 8. Love does not insist on its own way; love is not irritable or resentful.
9. Love does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
10. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
References: John 8:12, 31-32; 14:6; Matthew 5:13; 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 |
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