Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 19,2026

NOTE: For the remaining days of May, I will feature a Scripture text involving Mary as tribute to her in this her month as the Mother of our Savior.

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Luke 2:15-20

And it came to pass that after the angels left them, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass which the LORD has made know to us.” And they went with hast and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. When they had seen it, they shared the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard were amazed by what the shepherds told them. And Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard.

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

This short text from Luke’s gospel demonstrates to us human responses to the LORD’s power and presence. The shepherds immediately responded to the angels’ words and went in haste. And they became the first “evangelists” by proclaiming to others what they had witnessed and experienced. And Mary’s reaction to the shepherds’ visit helps us see that her understanding of her Son’s role in the world and what it meant weren’t instant but rather reached with prayerful reflection, with “pondering.”

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

LORD, Almighty Father, as I honor the Blessed Mother of your only-begotten Son, Jesus, during this month of May, I recognize more fully the importance of her surrender to You and your will: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Send your Spirit to strengthen my resolve and to intensify my love so that I am better able to surrender as Mary to your will.  Grant that I may with prayer and reflection more clearly see You and your love in my days and more wholly accept your Son, my Savior. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more