PRAYING THE BIBLICAL ROSARY
WITH YOUR CHILDREN
(With separate reflection for parents/grandparents. Published as an e-book, which will incrementally roll out the Mysteries of the Rosary. PDF available at the bottom of this page)
Meditations by Margit McCarthy
Illustrator: Breanna Silvia
With a Bible in one hand and rosary beads in the other, prepare to experience meaningful moments of prayer with your children. The Biblical Rosary is a wonderful family prayer tool that uses scripture and reflects on the life of Christ. Establishing the habit of family prayer yields blessings for all family members, which brim over to touch many lives beyond your family circles. It’s a portal of divine grace. Any adult who commits to praying with children discovers that children have an innate ability to engage spiritual motifs and respond with passion. It can be labeled as a spiritual superpower. That’s why Jesus beckons, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14)
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
For nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke 1:37)
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38 (NABRE)
Children’s Reflection: Young people who love God shine with goodness. A teenager who walks with the Lord can change this world and make it a better place. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a radiant teen just like this. She prayed with her heart and cared deeply about others. Her parents taught her that God promised to be with us, to save His people, and to heal our wounds.
Mary trusted that God would keep His promises. She welcomed God’s plan to unfold in her life and in the world, but she didn’t realize how surprising His plan would be. One day, God sent an angel to deliver a special message to Mary. Seeing one of God’s angels is a rare gift. Penetrating light filled the room. The Angel Gabriel told Mary that God is with her and greatly blesses her. He said, “Don’t be afraid.” Then he delivered God’s message that she would become the mother of Jesus. Jesus would be the Savior her people had been waiting for. God keeps His promises.
Mary wanted to know “how” God would do this? Gabriel told her through the power of the Holy Spirit: therefore, Jesus will be called, “the Son of the Most High.” Jesus is the Son of God, “for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary didn’t fully understand. How could she, since God’s plans are always greater than a human being can expect? She never thought that God would ask so much of her. Still, she said yes to God’s plan. She trusted and believed. God knew that she would say, “Yes.” God knew that she loved Him.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are always with me. Help me to trust in you. Help me say ‘yes’ to your plan for my life, even when I don’t fully understand it.
The Lord’s Prayer
Ten Hail Mary’s
The Glory Be
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
Parents’ Reflection:
God sends an angel to deliver a message: an invitation to become a parent and raise a child. God has a glorious vision for both Mary and her Divine Son. The jolting reality of God Himself sharing in our humanity to accomplish our salvation and sanctification. Mary spent the rest of her life pondering in her heart the mighty things God has done for her. God does not coerce Mary! The angel’s announcement is made, partially explained, and then Gabriel awaits her response. All of Creation hangs in the balance at that blessed moment in time and space. Mary generously responds, “May it be done to me according to your word.” So important is her consent that the Church gives it a label. We call Mary’s ‘yes’ her “fiat”. (Latin for let it be done to me).
An angel is sent, yet consider how Mary walked her difficult path with daily faith and challenges as the rest of us ordinary mortals do. You, too, are given a core of the same angelic proclamation: God is with you, do not be afraid, God is calling you to holy parenthood, God has a plan for each child’s life, and nothing will be impossible for God. Mary is assured that all of this serves the greater good: to advance the salvation of humanity. That’s akin to the blessed assurance you are given. Grab it with gusto.
Parents worry about raising children in today’s neo-pagan culture. Don’t be afraid because you and your children were born for a time like this (see Esther 4:14). Your placement here today was intentional by God for the greater good. He will equip you as needed as you learn to walk with Him. The more alienated our culture is from God and from moral righteousness, the more desperately it needs God’s healing grace through you and your children. Become like Mary: vessels of God’s light, love, mercy, and healing power. You may not see or hear angels consciously, but they remain active among us. God is always calling you. How will you respond?
“May it be done to me according to your word.”
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