The Joyful Mysteries - Meditations by Blessed Honorat Koźmiński
The Annunciation
And Mary said, ”Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). By God's will, power and greatness similar to His fiat is given to the silent Handmaid of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Once she uttered her fiat, everything changes, is reborn, lifted up, and revives. God descends to men, a sea of graces floods the earth, heaven opens the gates of glory for us. And all this is given to us by the Incarnation of Christ, brought about by Mary's word: Let it be to me. Pay attention to the humility of the Mother of God, who, despite her exaltation, calls herself a handmaid. Learn from Her the deepest humility, which brings God Himself down from heaven into the heart. Always choose the last place for yourself, desiring to be the servant of all and preferring this title over others, as the Blessed Virgin did. Gladly render all services to others.
Fruit of the mystery: Humility and submission to the will of God.
The Visitation
The Most Holy Mother of God, in whom the mystery of the Incarnation took place, following the inspiration she received, went to St. Elizabeth to share the joyful news with her. Her soul poured out in words full of unction: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior! (cf. Lk 1:47). Elizabeth, Mary's relative, became the first participant in these heavenly gifts, as she herself told the Blessed Virgin: For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (Lk 1:44)
Pay attention to the great graces that the Savior from Mary's womb bestowed on St. John: He cleansed him in his mother's womb from original sin and anointed him as His Precursor. Praise the Son and the Mother for these graces. Also recognize the zeal of the Lord Jesus. Scarcely had He dwelt in Mary when He already urges her to this journey, so that He might begin the work of salvation, sanctifying the one who was to prepare the nation for Him. Imitate Jesus in this zeal.
Fruit of the mystery: Love of neighbor and joy in God.
The Nativity of Jesus
The newborn Son of Man, having taken upon Himself human nature, thereby became our Brother, and being at the same time the Son of God, He has made all of us adopted children of God and heavenly heirs. Here deep truly calls unto deep: to be a slave of Satan is indeed an unfathomable humiliation, to be a brother of Christ-who can comprehend this exaltation? An impassable abyss-to be rejected by God, an abyss also unattainable to the human mind-to be one with God and an heir of God.
Think of this great transformation, for through the Nativity of the Lord we have become children of God. Therefore, praise your Divine Brother.
Fruit of the mystery: Childhood simplicity and spirit of poverty.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Imagine Mary and Joseph walking from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and note with what sweetness Mary converses with her Divine Son. Think what an impression the sight of the temple made on Mary, where she spent the whole time of her childhood in the service of God, and now goes to offer her Son in it. Compare the feelings that arise in your soul at the sight of the house of God, in which you receive so many blessings daily. Learn from Mary loving fellowship with the Lord Jesus when you receive Him in Holy Communion.
Fruit of the mystery: Obedience and purity of heart.
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
And after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. (Lk 2:46-51) Great love cannot do without sacrifices; the greater it is, the greater it is ready to bear. Such was the love of our Heavenly Bridegroom, whose almost entire life, or at least this most extensive period, the Holy Gospel summed up in these few words: He was subject to them.
And who is it that becomes subject? Behold, God, Creator of the whole world and Supreme Lawgiver, to whose nod heaven and earth submit, whom the Angels and heavenly lights and all unreasoning creatures obey. He becomes subject-to whom? To a poor carpenter. In what? In carpentry works and humble services. In what way? Like a small child, with simplicity and without reasoning, seeing the will of God in his commands. Only love itself could have brought Him to this. Perfect love for God strives to be voluntarily subject to people following the example of Jesus Christ, desiring at every moment to conform to the will of God.
Fruit of the mystery: Seeking Jesus after sin or in desolations and uniting with Him.