Nicole Berlucchi, Writer on a Mission

This week we took time to reflect on each of the Glorious Mysteries and how we might be called to imitate those mysteries in our own lives. Today, we revisit some of the ways we can unite our lives to the Lord’s glory and live with our eyes fixed on heaven, knowing we have His power within us, the Holy Spirit to guide us and the Heavenly Mother advocating for us.

How are you being called to imitate the Mystery of the Resurrection:

• Put Jesus first in your week, ideally doing a morning offering to invite Him into every aspect of your day.
• Let us put our trust in the Church and believe in Jesus’ presence in every Tabernacle of the world. Spend time with Him there acknowledging His presence and making reparation for all who do not believe in Him.
• If you are struggling with an aspect of our faith, dig in—get moving to look for answers. Read books, seek holy conversations and advisors, pray. Jesus will not leave you unsatisfied.
• Don’t dwell on the problems of this world. Don’t let despair blind you to how Jesus is working in your life, how He is present every day. Let Him teach you.
• Share your faith. Don’t let a lack of a theology degree hold you back from sharing your faith with someone else. God is love and sharing your love of Jesus will be enough to plant the seed which God will tend to. 
• Is there another aspect of this mystery that has drawn your attention for imitation?
• Let us ask Mary’s intercession for all the ways we might be called to imitate this mystery.

How are you being called to imitate the Mystery of the Ascension:

• When you find yourself focused on questioning why God doesn’t “fix” the parts of the world you don’t like, spend time in prayer cultivating the hope knowing that in the life to come everything will be perfect. We will be with Jesus in a paradise beyond our greatest imaginings.
• Be like the apostles and keep your eyes and hearts fixed on eternal life instead of what you feel you are lacking in this earthly life.
• Let the hope of eternal life help you live each day more joyfully.
• So often our prayers are focused on petitions and thanksgiving to God for things that are happening here on earth. Take time in prayer to praise God for the promise of eternal life like the apostles who went to the Temple to praise God after Jesus ascended to heaven.
• Listen to the song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me and let those ideas of what it will be like the first moments in eternity work in your heart.
• Share the promise of enteral life with others. As Christians, we are called to share the Good News with others. Talk with a friend about the amazing, awesome glory we will experience when we reach heaven. I know this can be intimidating especially if you are an introvert like me—pass along the “I Can Only Imagine” song mentioned above to a friend. Sometimes, an indirect way of sharing the faith can open the door for a direct encounter with God.
• Is there another aspect of this mystery that has drawn your attention for imitation?
• Let us ask Mary’s intercession for all the ways we might be called to imitate this mystery.

How are you being called to imitate the Mystery of Pentecost:

• Be aware of the Holy Spirit present in the Mass and other prayerful community gatherings; pray “Come, Holy Spirit” and invite the Holy Spirit to transform your life in those moments of prayer and ignite the fire that will burn with the Trinity’s love so that you can pour it out on others.
• Pray for an openness to receive whatever gifts and fruits the Holy Spirit wants to offer you so that you can accomplish God’s will for your life.
• Think about times you were able to speak about your faith and its positive impact. Thank God for the courage to share your gift of faith because of the Holy Spirit. Ask for more opportunities to act courageously in this way.
• Actively participate in the sacraments—these our opportunities to receive God’s grace and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As St. Peter reminds us repentance is so important, because God is longing to bless us with his mercy.
• When you bless yourself, be aware of the prayer of the sign of the cross and how you are praying to live in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, a renewal of your Baptism.
• Is there another aspect of this mystery that has drawn your attention for imitation?
• Let us ask Mary’s intercession for all the ways we might be called to imitate this mystery.

How are you being called to imitate the Mystery of the Assumption:

• Reflect on Mary’s example of following God’s will and what it merited for her in the Assumption.
• Spend time praying to Mary, as your Mother and express gratitude for the role she played and continues to play in your redemption.
• Consider how you are being called to imitate Mary, so that you might one day merit the resurrection of the body.
• Seek Mary as a companion, seek to be close to her as Jesus did in bringing her straight to heaven to be with Him body and soul. Ask for her intercession in following God’s will, growing in relationship with Jesus, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life for God’s glory.
• Is there another aspect of this mystery that has drawn your attention for imitation?
• Let us ask Mary’s intercession for all the ways we might be called to imitate this mystery.

How are you being called to imitate the Mystery of the Coronation of Mary:

• Now that you know the Davidic tradition, accept Mary as your Queen Mother. Consider calling her by some of her majestic titles: Queen of the Angels, Queen of the Saints, Queen of Heaven and Earth. Acknowledge her as Queen as Jesus, her Son and our King, has given her to us.
• How does thinking of yourself as part of a Royal Family influence how you might behave, how you might interact with others, how you might serve others?
• Invite Mary to work and pray for your heart and soul to make the changes you need in order to glorify God more freely.
• As Queen, Mary sets an example for us to follow, so let’s follow it through acts of humility (quiet acts of service or sacrifice), obedience (pray for greater trust in God), praise (say All glory to God when you are receiving praise) and contemplation (spend time gazing at Jesus and letting Him gaze at you).
• Jesus gave you Mary as Mother and advocate. Pray to her! Pray the rosary and trust that she will be with you, guiding you and encouraging you, so that you will achieve eternal life with her and Jesus.
• Is there another aspect of this mystery that has drawn your attention for imitation?
• Let us ask Mary’s intercession for all the ways we might be called to imitate this mystery.

I hope these points help you in meditating more deeply on the Glorious Mysteries so that they can help you imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.