Glorious Mysteries
First Glorious Mystery:
The Resurrection
Reflections
The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb on the evening of Good Friday.
His soul descends into the realm of the dead to announce to the Just, the
tidings of their redemption.
Fearing the body of Jesus will be taken, the chief priests place guards at the
tomb.
On the third day Jesus rises from the dead, glorious and immortal.
The earth quakes as an angel rolls back the stone, the guards flee in terror.
The holy women coming to anoint the body of Jesus are amazed and frightened to
find the tomb open.
An angel calms their fears: "He is not here. He has risen as He said."
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, and to Peter and two disciples on the way to
Emmaus.
That evening He appears to the apostles behind locked doors: "Peace be unto
you . . . do not be afraid."
Jesus breathes on them and gives them the power to forgive sin.
Second Glorious Mystery:
The Ascension
Reflections
Jesus remains on earth forty days after His Resurrection to prove He has
truly risen from the dead.
He commissions the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, and promises
to be with them forever.
He will not leave them orphans, but will send the Holy Spirit to enlighten and
strengthen them.
Jesus proceeds to Mt. Olivet accompanied by His Mother and the apostles and
disciples.
Extending His pierced hands over all in a last blessing, He ascends into heaven.
As He ascends, a cloud takes Him from their sight.
Jesus ascends to take His place at the right hand of the Father.
What jubilation there must be amid the angels of heaven at the triumphant entry
of Jesus.
The wounds in His glorified body are an endless plea before the Father on our
behalf.
The disciples leave Mt. Olivet and "return to Jerusalem with great joy."
Third Glorious Mystery:
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Reflections
The apostles are gathered in the upper room where Jesus had held the Last
Supper.
They are persevering in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus.
A sound comes from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it fills the whole
house.
The Holy Spirit descends on each of them in the form of tongues of fire.
Filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are enlightened and strengthened
to spread the gospel.
Having lost all fear of the Jewish leaders, the apostles boldly preach Christ
crucified.
The multitudes are confounded because every man hears them speak in his own
tongue.
The Holy Spirit comes upon the Infant Church never to leave it.
That first day Peter goes forth to preach and baptizes three thousand.
The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day it begins
to grow.
Fourth Glorious Mystery:
The Assumption
Reflections
After the apostles have dispersed, the Blessed Mother goes to live with John,
the beloved disciple.
Mary lives many years on earth after the death of Christ.
She is a source of comfort, consolation and strength to the apostles.
As she had nourished the infant Jesus, so she nourishes spiritually the infant
Church.
Mary dies, not of bodily infirmity, but wholly ravished in a rapture of divine
love.
Her body, as well as her soul, is taken up into heaven.
After her burial, the apostles go to the tomb and find only fragrant lilies.
Jesus does not permit the sinless body of His Mother to decay in the grave.
Corruption of the body is an effect of original sin from which Mary is totally
exempted.
The bodies of all mankind, at the last judgement, will be brought back and
united again to the soul.
Fifth Glorious Mystery:
The Coronation
Reflections
As Mary enters heaven, the entire court of heaven greets with joy this
masterpiece of God's creation.
Mary is crowned by her divine Son as Queen of heaven and earth.
More than we can ever know, the Hearts of Jesus and Mary overflow with joy at
this reunion.
Only in heaven will we know the great majesty of that coronation, and the joy it
gave to the angels and saints.
Even the angels, who by nature are greater than humans, hail Mary as their
queen.
Mary shares so fully in the glory of Christ because she shared so fully in his
suffering.
Only in heaven will we see how central is the role of Mary in the divine plan of
redemption.
The angels and saints longed for the coming of her whose
heel crushes the head of the serpent.
Mary pleads our cause as a most powerful Queen, and a most merciful and loving
Mother.
A great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under
her feet, and a crown of twelve stars.
|
