seasons of motherhood | pray the rosary | Behold Your Mother
Today we will pray the Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of the Lord.
Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. They travel in obedience to the Law but also in reverence for the gift of the Child-Messiah they are privileged to raise as their own. They are humble in offering their precious Child back to God, full of trust and love.
I hold you within me, little one. As you grow with every passing week, I pray and contemplate the mystery of who you will be. You too, my precious baby, are a gift. You too are sent from the Lord not just to be my child, but to fulfill your own mission from God. I am called to be humble like Mary and Joseph and to present you back to the Lord in thanksgiving and trust for the cost of two turtle doves.
While you sleep and squirm and grow in the safety of my womb, I cannot yet know what the cost of my presentation will be. You are destined for a path I cannot imagine! My calling is to bear witness to that plan in surrender and obedience and ask the Holy Spirit to help me guide you as you grow with open hands and a faithful heart.
Oh, Holy Spirit, give me the grace to follow your holy will.
I pray for an obedient heart in the face of uncertainty.
I pray for enough trust to remember that my beautiful baby is yours before he/she is mine.
I beg for the courage to allow a sword to pierce my heart and declare that you are still good.
I pray for the patience to believe that you are faithful and you always keep your promises, in your time and in your way.
I pray for a grateful heart to marvel at the gift of my child’s life and the unique purpose and plan you have for him/her.
Amen.
The writers of Catholic Mom enthusiastically gathered to share meditations on each Mystery of the Rosary in a special way for pregnant mothers. We invite you to join us throughout the month of May as we pray together each day, and to share these reflections with other moms who will enjoy them.
Images: created by Ted Schluenderfritz for Holy Cross Family Ministries