The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation: I've often wondered about Mary's life prior to the Annunciation. I don't wonder so much about how she filled her time. Rather, I wonder about what she felt on the inside. In the depths of her heart, did she know that something great, something big - something huge, was coming? As a woman and as a person who believes that we are more aware of our purpose than we think, I think that she knew. I mean, she didn't know of course, but somewhere deep within she knew. I doubt she knew that she would bear forth the long awaited Messiah. Her confusion during the encounter with Gabriel is proof of that. But in the moments that followed that confusion, I wouldn't be at all surprised if she found herself thinking, "Oh. This is it. This is that thing I always felt was coming."
Do you trust the inclinations inside of you? Do you listen to that little voice inside of you that anticipates the greatness that you are to become?
The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation: Why did Mary go to Elizabeth? Mary knew (because Gabriel told her) that Elizabeth was living the very power that God has to do what seems impossible. At that moment Elizabeth embodied the greatness of a truly amazing God. So did Mary. Perhaps she sought the company of someone she knew she could trust to rejoice with her in God's greatness. Perhaps Elizabeth was for Mary a place of refuge, where Mary was free to glorify God.
Who (or where) is that refuge in your life? Are you that refuge for the people around you?
The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation: There have been moments in my life when I've really wanted to be able to present God with something that is good. I get tired of approaching God imperfect and unfinished. So often I wish I could present to Him my life lived perfectly. What I'm learning to accept is that presenting myself to Him at all is a grace and a gift. I can get so caught up in not being as good or as holy as I would like to be (or should be) that I forget to be grateful for the grace He offers that leads me to His presence anyway. The fact that He allows (in fact welcomes and encourages) me to present myself before Him at all is worth far more than even my desire to present more.
Are you grateful to God for His allowing you in His presence? Do you thank Him for the evils He does lead you away from, or is it too difficult for you to see past the evils you do face?
The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple: For several years now I've loved meditating on how Mary and Joseph model in this mystery what companions should do with their relationships. They are seeking to find Christ - together. Their focus for those three days is to find the Child Jesus. They seek to find God. That is how all of our friendships should be. Recently though (as my friendships have been shifting) I often myself not visibly seeking Christ with some people. What I have to remember now is that the purpose of my life is to seek Christ anyway. I should strive to find God whether I'm searching alone or with a companion.
Is seeking to find God the most important thing in your life? Are you easily distracted by others in your life, or does the pursuit of God receive the full attention it deserves?
***I know that I skipped the Third Joyful Mystery (The Nativity). There was a lot of lane changing and distracted prayer happening during that mystery this morning, so I didn't meditate it on it very well. If I get an insight on the next Joyful Mystery day, I'll come back and add it in.***
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