"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: 4th Sunday of Advent

BEADS OF JOY 12-23-18

“4th Sunday of Advent”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 (The Visitation)

“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Reflection:

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. In our lives, do we really recognize our Lord’s presence? Have you turned your life over to God, trustingly giving Him full control of everything? What is the significance of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth while she was pregnant? Did you know that it is the Holy Spirit within us that leaps with Joy- always leading us to, and always recognizes our Lord’s presence? Are you also ready to RESPOND to God’s love in your life? How we RESPOND shows Jesus how much we really love Him. This week our focus will be how we can RESPOND to Jesus. He loves us even when we don’t or won’t love Him in return; His love is unconditional. Mary our Lord’s Mother and ours; lovingly gave up her life to accept the sword that would pierce her heart. How can we live a life in response to her example? What we have to do in this life, is figure out this: How can I make Jesus the absolute center of my life?

I always love it when our days gospel is one of the mysteries of the Rosary. The Visitation is the second Joyful Mystery, and that alone is exciting. Mary did receive a crown, a crown of Joy given to her for unselfishly being our Lord’s mother, the ark of the New Covenant; but we must note that she also received another crown for the pain and sorrow she will bear at the foot of His cross. The Visitation teaches us a lot about, self-giving to others and unselfishness. Today’s scripture captures me at this verse, “And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” When Mary saw Elizabeth, Elizabeth was shocked that Mary would be there for her, knowing she was the, “...mother of my Lord."
Let us RESPOND together to such a loving, caring, merciful God. Christmas is just two days away. It’s so exciting and there is so much fun; just thinking about the Joy that baby Jesus will bring to the world. Many of you know how much I really love Praying The Rosary, and that nothing interferes with my relationship with my Lord. Today I challenge you to try to do the same in your own life. RESPOND to God’s infinite love by placing Him first and foremost in your thoughts and actions each day. When I gave my heart and life to Jesus back in 1983, you can understand the depths of my experience if you read “My Story”My Story - Direct Link - Click Here check it out, if haven’t yet. My whole life changed, and my allegiance was fully to my Lord and the Rosary was my guiding light to Him every day. How did I RESPOND? I centered my life around my love for Him, trusting Him, and always turning to Him and always thanking Him; even in the hardest of times, still trusting Him. It has given me such great strength, especially through those most trying years of Chrissy’s suffering.

Mary meets Elizabeth

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

(Acapella) w/The Living Stones Quartet

(BONUS Video)

Sisters of Life:
Models of Freedom and Joy
w/ Sr. Maria Regina Immaculata

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Sunday in Advent: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind & Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!