Revelation 12:1–6
Read slowly and prayerfully
And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery. And another portent appeared in heaven; behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems upon his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth; she brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which to be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Meditate on the Assumption of Mary
The Joyful Mysteries radiate joy because Jesus comes into the world as Savior through the yes of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Glorious Mysteries radiate and communicate great joy because both Jesus and Mary point to our ultimate and eternal destiny, which is Heaven. We were created to know, love, and serve God in this world so as to be with Him and Mary forever in heaven, praising God for all eternity. This thought should fill us with immense joy!
Consider Thoughtfully
Mary’s Whole Being Was Devoted to God
From the earliest days of her life to her last day on Earth, Mary used every part of her body to glorify God. In her life, she wasted nothing but used everything that God gave her His honor and glory and for the salvation of souls. Do this now: Ask Mary for the grace to use your body in the most perfect way possible and, by making a strong effort to avoid sin, to avoid hurting yourself, others, and, of course, God.
Mary’s Body
Sin is the worst enemy in our spiritual life. Our Lady was sinless from the moment of her conception and throughout her life; she is the sinless one in heaven. Do this now: Mary’s mind was filled with light — the Holy Spirit. Her eyes were primarily used to focus on all the aspects of Jesus’ life. Ask our Lady to help you use your body and all its faculties and members to glorify God on earth and forever in heaven.
Mary’s Mind
The Apostle Saint Paul says, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). What a marvelous truth! Mary gave Jesus His physical body, which means that the very mind of Jesus — His memory, understanding, and imagination —was formed within her womb.
Do this now: The minds of Jesus and of Mary were perfect. Ask God to form your mind to be as much like theirs as is humanly possible, so that you may always glorify God with your mind.
Mary’s Memory
Like our Lady, we should use our memory to recall the Word of God, which should be a lamp for our steps and a light for our path, and to dwell on holy, wholesome, and edifying memories that are worthy of God and His Kingdom.
Do this now: Implore our Lady to help you make frequent confessions so as to purify your memory of past hurtful, impure, and unholy thoughts!
Mary’s Understanding
Neither Jesus nor Mary was stained by Original Sin or afflicted with its consequences. Their minds were clear and transparent, bright, strong, and highly intelligent, and open always to the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Do this now: Turn to both Jesus and Mary, begging them for a strong, intelligent, and lucid intellect so that you will be able to absorb and love the truth and to put it into practice. The truth will set you free!
The Thought Is Father to the Deed
Thoughts lead to decisions; decisions lead to sentiments; sentiments lead to firm decisions; firm decisions lead to actions; repeated actions form habits; habits form personality; finally, personality determines your destiny for all eternity.
Do this now: Now and often during the day, call to mind the words of Saint Paul: “We have the mind of Christ.”
Mary’s Eyes and Your Eyes
Jesus said in one of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). For just over thirty years, our Lady’s dearest treasure was Jesus, her only Son. She contemplated Jesus as a baby in her arms and as a little toddler in their home in Nazareth. She watched intently as Jesus grew in age, wisdom, and strength before God and man. She contemplated Jesus as a young man working hard for long hours in the carpenter shop of good Saint Joseph. She contemplated Jesus with her eyes as well as with her Immaculate Heart.
Do this now: Mary’s greatest joy and delight was to be with Jesus. She spent time watching Him, contemplating every one of His sacred actions. On earth, her eyes and her Immaculate Heart were totally fixed on Jesus, as they are now that she is in heaven. Turn your attention to the beauty of Mary in heaven. Dwell on the beauty of her eyes as she contemplates the majesty of the Blessed Trinity.
Finally, ask for the proper use of your body
As your total consecration to Jesus and Mary approaches, ask our Lady, assumed into heaven, to intercede for the grace to use your entire body to glorify God. In a special way, beg our Lady for the grace to control your eyes — to avoid offending God by looking at persons, images, screens, and places that could so easily dirty and tarnish your eyes as well as your immortal soul.
+
This article is adapted from a chapter in Total Consecration through the Mysteries of the Rosary by Fr. Ed Broom, which is now available from Sophia Institute Press.
Art for this post: Cover and featured image used with permission.
