The Joyful Mysteries - Meditations by Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo

The Annunciation

When the small room was suddenly illuminated by a great light, Mary was completely taken by surprise. Standing in that light, the angel of God shone with great radiance. Mary felt no fear, for she was accustomed to the presence of angels in her life, and yet this heavenly messenger seemed extraordinary to her. Not only did he radiate the light of majesty, but he remained in a respectful bow, paying her homage. He shone with the most beautiful light because he brought the most wonderful news that had ever been sent from heaven to earth. And yet, the greatness of his majesty now gave way to humility. He stood bent for a moment, admiring Mary-the masterpiece of God-and then cried out: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among all the women of this earth.”

Later, he fell silent and adored God, who had made her so beautiful. He saw in her the brightest reflection of His infinite holiness. The angel radiated pure love, remaining in adoration and contemplating the infinite distance between the power of creation and the Creator. Mary, at that moment, contemplated the power of God and surrendered herself to Him in an boundless act of faith. She did not need to know anything more, she had no need to analyze the situation or the consequences of the miraculous conception. She gave her intellect to God and believed, she gave her will and her entire self. She opened her heart and loved God with a great love.

The Visitation

The angel added that Elizabeth too, though barren until then, had miraculously conceived a son and was already in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible for God. For Mary, this was a sign confirming the credibility of the situation. For God, when revealing Himself and doing great works, always has respect for the human intellect. Thanks to this, full faith in Him is sustained more easily and with a certain freedom.

First we believe, and then faith illuminates our reason, because only from above is it possible to look at the valley and deduce its height, whereas from below one cannot see the distant points of the horizon that are visible only from above. This is a matter of great importance: we do not come to faith by seeking evidence, but we can examine the evidence once we already believe. Thanks to this, we love, contemplate, and believe even more.

The simple saints, who allowed themselves to be fully penetrated by the light of God, had their reason illuminated as much as none of the thinkers on this poor earth of ours.

The Nativity of Jesus

The angel's message was exceptionally extraordinary, yet Joseph accepted it in full trust of faith and with joy saw in it the fulfillment of ancient promises. He understood perfectly that he had been chosen to be the guardian of the Son of God and to guard Mary's inviolate virginity. The words of the prophet Isaiah quoted by the evangelist became a light in his soul, and he showed full obedience to the Lord.

Reading the gospel narrative, we can almost smell the scent of purity, which can be explained in only one way: St. Joseph married a woman who was the ideal of a human being. He knew that he was doing the will of God, and he waited for the Lord's commands, surrendering himself completely to Him. The evangelist wrote that “Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son,” so that you might believe and confess that He is the only-begotten Son. The evangelist further writes that Joseph did not approach Mary until she gave birth to a Son, so that you might believe that he never approached her and that she remained a Virgin, and also that the Incarnate Word became flesh through the Holy Spirit.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Simeon had spent his whole life waiting for the Redeemer, the consolation of Israel, and prayed that the time of his waiting might be shortened. Now, during prayer, he received an inner inspiration from the Holy Spirit and the certainty that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. And since he was already very old, this assurance meant that God's promises would be fulfilled in the near future. And this is what he saw: the humility and sincerity of the Immaculate Mother were like a halo of light around the Child held in her arms. The openness and simplicity of St. Joseph were like the scent of flowers.

Simeon immediately understood the mystery of the Divine Child and asked to be allowed to take Him in his arms, which was a great grace for him. When this happened, he felt the operation of life-giving grace: his heart burned within his breast, and the Holy Spirit poured the light of truth into his mind. He turned his eyes toward heaven and said: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

From then on, earthly matters no longer occupied his soul. Death was to prove a deliverance from exile for him. His eyes had seen the Lord and Savior. In reality, Simeon confessed who the Child truly was: the fulfillment of God's promises, the light of truth for the nations, and the unspeakable glory of his people, Israel.

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

We cannot even imagine the pain that Mary and Joseph felt at the moment when Jesus was lost. The only measure of their anxiety is the love with which they loved Him. Dejected, they experienced anguish and the fear that they themselves, due to their unworthiness, might have been the cause of His departure. They trembled for His safety and experienced the greatest torments of heart. Jesus was their whole life, and without Him they experienced a tearing in their souls.

What those days of searching were! They did not lose their peace because they were holy, but-one might say-they lost their hearts, because they felt that these almost broke with pain. Jesus knew of their suffering, but He allowed this terrible trial to sanctify them more and to be an example to all. His Divine Heart suffered more than they did, but at the moment when He was about to begin His public ministry and fulfill His mission, this trial of great love was necessary, through which man became worthy to receive such great love.