The Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary: The presentation of Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem:
When the time came for their
purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord- Luke 2:22
As I was
meditating on this Joyful mystery of the Holy Rosary before the Holy Eucharist,
God’s grace inspired a gentle yet piercing question within me: Mother Mary and St. Joseph presented Jesus in
humble perfection, immaculate as the Lord gave him to them and they
offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord.
What if you
were asked to present Jesus? What will
be his state?
What is the
state of Jesus who lives inside you?
Is He
wounded and disfigured? Is He still immature and struggling to grow? Is He
crucified and lifeless within me? Or is He risen and alive?
As I
reflected, I saw a painful truth about my own heart. The Jesus living within me
appeared wounded—whipped and tortured. And I knew that these wounds were not
caused by others, but by my own actions and attitudes.
Each time I
judge others, I strike Him again.
Each time I
complain, I whip Him once more.
Each time I
fail to recognize the goodness in others and instead seek my own glory or
comfort, I wound Him deeply.
In my prayer, I saw a tender image of Mother Mary holding the wounded Jesus before me. The sight was both sorrowful and full of love.
Seeing Him like this, I
asked with a sincere heart:
"How
can I heal my Jesus?"
The answer
came quietly but clearly.
Every time I
judge, complain, or live without gratitude, I torture Jesus again and again.
These attitudes diminish the life of Christ within me and bring pain to the One
who gives life to my soul.
Jesus is the
very life of my soul. When I wound Him through my thoughts, words, and actions,
I am also wounding my own soul.
St Paul
reminds us in Galatians 2:20:
"I
have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave himself for me."
Christ truly
lives within the believer. My life is no longer merely my own—it is Christ
living in me.
The
Scriptures also remind us that our true life is hidden in Him:
"For
you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." — Colossians
3:3
This means
that the deepest reality of our soul is united with Christ Himself. When we
live in grace, our life is inseparably joined to His life.
Yet His
mercy is endless. Each time I receive Him in Holy Communion, Jesus gives
Himself completely again. He pours His life into me anew, offering healing,
renewal, and grace.
Because of
this, I must live each moment with a deep awareness: the living Jesus dwells
within me.
My words, my
attitudes, and my actions must reflect that sacred reality.
I must guard
my heart so that I do not wound Him through judgment, complaints, pride, or
ingratitude. Instead, I am called to see Jesus not only within myself, but also
within every person I meet.
When I
recognize Jesus living in others, I begin to love differently. I speak
differently. I treat others with reverence and compassion. To love Jesus within
me means to love others as He loves them.
This
reflection leaves me with a simple but powerful calling:
Love the
Jesus who lives in you. And love one another as Jesus loves you.
When we live
this way—with humility, gratitude, and mercy—the wounded Christ within us is
slowly healed, and His life begins to shine through us for the world to see.
Prayer:
I love you, Jesus, my Love, above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended you. Never permit me to separate myself from you again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me as you will. Amen.
