Of Divine Light… on Thursdays
- The Baptism in the Jordan
- The Wedding Feast of Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration at Mount Olive
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Excerpt from The Holy Family Rosary on the Mysteries of Light
Support for devotion of the Holy Rosary resulted from sacred scriptures, tradition, and the Magisterium of Christ’s Church, and is therefore reasonable for us to ask why the Holy Spirit prompted the then Pope and now St. John Paul II to introduce the Luminous Mysteries at such a time as this? When pondered in reviewed openness we realize the “Mysteries of Light” are an important bridge for reflection on Christ’s teachings, especially when reminded of Christ’s declaration: “That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.”[1] This becomes an invaluable means for reflection on the virtues of Christ that His Holiness has asked to take place through the promotion of the Rosary for the advancement of Christ’s Pilgrim Church.
With the Church’s holy obligation to promulgate the teachings and sacramental life revealed by Jesus Christ, her (Holy Mother Church’s) authority is two-edged when seen in unison with Mary’s instruction to the servant at the wedding feast of Cana when saying: “Whatever he shall say to you, do ye.”[2] This is but one more Maternal Blessing in guidance from the Chair of Peter that Christ empowered His Church to share. Tu es Petrus! While giving to us, heaven’s graces are unleashed and, in binding us, redounds on earth deeper contemplation of Christ. This is especially true in recognition of Mary as Mediatrix in beautiful reflection of His Grace – as this work draws us by her humility to where true love resides – within.
In our desire to follow Mary’s counsel we learn to echo her faithful example in expectation of God’s Son by keeping each day holy as fellow members of Christ’s “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church”[3] and do well to seek this image of Our Lord through the Rosary prayers in unison with Mary’s Immaculate Heart. By beginning at the dawn of creation and remembering our heritage as one holy family of God, we expand our comprehension of the mercy of God by the heroic faith of our forefathers in their desire to know, love, and serve God in hope to witness the perfection of this faith and hope – in the charity and image of the living God as Mary was taught, sought and found within her Son. From daily use of these combined meditations we are continually reminded of God’s good reason for the Messiah to come to lead His Church to God the Father above.
Within Mary’s belief we learn to wait upon the Lord to advance in faith. Within Mary’s desire, we pray to the Lord with her expectation of hope. And within Mary’s love for her Son, we learn in charity to serve one another in the image of Christ – all complimented and enhanced through our desire for the Lord to: “Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within….”[4]
Continuing within Mary’s example we are reminded there is much more for us to learn about Jesus as our New Adam while, as our Mother and New Eve, she guides us as was relayed to us by the Apostle St. John when closing his Gospel account, explained: “But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.”[5] Inspired by this same Holy Spirit, we pray these meditations are such ones worth writing and being read. Amen!
And finally, by our questioning the origin in truth of God’s intent as Mary did of her Son, much is found in believing the instruction of Christ to: “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”[6]For this reason alone, it seems opportune for us to ponder this work and openly question if it was given for our instruction by the exemplary petitioning of Mary’s love of her Son.
In response to the Luminous Mysteries being enjoined with the existing three mysteries of the Holy Rosary and knowing we all “hope” for that one day when our prayers for eternal life are disclosed, what His Holiness asked for of Christ’s Church were simultaneously loosed by God’s Grace through the Holy Ghost. Seven years were spent to comprehend (and an eighth to explain) how the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity were this firm foundation in reflection of that wonderful day His Holiness openly requested advancing the Rosary as a “genuine school of prayer.”
These proposed meditations serve as renewable avenues of contemplation in catechesis of God’s love in reflective review of the promised Kingdom to come with His Only Begotten Son – all exquisitely shared from the view of Our Blessed Mother Mary from heaven above. It is as if she herself guides us with the Patriarchs as the Mother of Mercy and Wisdom’s Seat to “Remember the days of old, think upon every generation: ask thy father, and he will declare to thee: thy elders and they will tell thee.”[7] Just as she in life had done!
[1] Mt. 16:18-19.
[2] Jn. 2:5.
[3] CCC #750.
[4] Ps. 50:12.
[5] Jn. 21:25.
[6] Mt. 7:7-8.
[7] Deut. 32:7.
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