The Holy Rosary

eucharist

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THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES



           The The Luminous Mysteries are contemplated on Thursdays. These are the new mysteries which Pope John Paul II has requested we add to the Rosary. In order, the mysteries are the miracle at Cana, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, Jesus' teaching ministry, the Transfiguration, and the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

           Let us look at each mystery, it's origin, and what we can learn from it. In each case the mystery will be stated, the related Scripture quoted, and some suggestions made on what we can contemplate.



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Jesus' Baptism


           Jesus' relative, John was baptizing in the Jordan. Although Jesus did not need to be cleansed of sins he set an example for us by going to John for this baptism.



After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Luke 3: 21-22 NAB


           When Jesus emerged from the Jordan River the Holy Spirit came upon him. Then the Father spoke. Jesus ministry had begun.

Trinity

Many find the doctrine of the Trinity difficult. The Bible never uses the term but demonstrates this reality when Jesus was baptized. The Holy Spirit descended and the Father's voice was heard from Heaven. We can trust our Church when she tells us that God is One and yet in three persons.

Obedience

We see Jesus' obedience in being baptized. Are we obedient in attending Mass and receiving the Sacraments?

Sacraments

The sacrament of Baptism was blessed by God when the voice of the Father was heard. We can meditate on the truth that baptism washed us from our original sin.

Sanctification

Baptism washes away sin but has no effect on the sins we commit after baptism. What do we do to keep our lives clean?



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The Miracle at Cana


           The Miracle at Cana was the first of Jesus' miracles. This miracle displayed that Jesus was more than a mere man and that he was willing to respond to Mary's wishes.


On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the groom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

John 2:1-12 NAB


           Jesus was reluctant to do act when he heard there was no wine. His time had not come. He did relent when his mother asked him to do so. When we wonder if asking for Mary's prayers will make a difference we can look to this miracle for proof that it does.

Petition

Mary petitioned Jesus for his help. Had she not done so he may have continued to refuse. Are we asking God for what we need?

Intercession

Mary interceded on behalf of those holding the wedding and Jesus agreed to help them. We can believe that to this day Mary intercedes on our behalf.

Divinity

It was in changing the water to wine that Jesus showed he was no mere man.

Faith

We can believe in this Jesus who could do such miraculous things.

Eucharist

Jesus changed water to wine. Can he not change bread and wine into his Body and Blood?



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Announcement of the Kingdom of God


           Jesus announced that the kingdom had come and that those who wanted to be a part of it should repent and be converted.



"This is the time of the fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Mk 1:15 NAB


           The Messiah had come. He was not what the people expected. They were expecting a conquering king, not a suffering servant. One day Jesus will come back as that conquering king!

Repentance

Jesus calls us to repent. Repentance is more than sorrow for sins. We must turn our lives around.

Worship

One day the fullness of the kingdom will come. Today we can worship and thank God for his salvation and his presence among us.

Growth

Throughout our Christian lives we must continue to grow in grace and holiness.



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The Transfiguration


           While with Peter, James, and John on a mountain Jesus was seen in glory with Moses and Elijah.


About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changes in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the women standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him." After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Luke 9:28-35 NAB


           What do we miss when we fall asleep praying? Peter, James, and John went to the mountain to pray with Jesus but they were overcome by sleep. When they awoke they saw the miraculous! Jesus in glory!

Glory

We are told Jesus exists in his glorified body today because he was resurrected. The Transfiguration happened before his resurrection yet he was seen in glory. Our faith is in a risen Christ who is with those who have gone before us.

Faith

There was a voice that came from the cloud saying, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him." This is for us and not just for the three men who were there.

Hope

Moses and Elijah were dead and yet in the Transfiguration they were seen alive. We, too, can hope for this glorious future!



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The Institution of the Eucharist

           On the night the Jews were freed from slavery they killed a lamb for sacrifice, put its blood over the door, and ate the meat of the lamb. They put the blood over the doors of their houses at God's command. That night the final curse came upon Egypt and the first born of each house died. Those with the blood over their doors were "passed over". God told the Jews to remember that night by observing the Passover feast every year. While Jesus also observed this feast, he changed it forever for those who believe in him.


Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."

Luke 22: 19-20


           Our Lord changed the Jewish Passover feast to a Christian feast. Instead of eating the sacrificed lamb we would eat the glorified body and drink the glorified blood of our sacrificial lamb, Jesus. We would do this by receiving Him in the form of bread and wine which would be changed in substance. It is a tremendous mystery. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith!

Remembrance

We should never take Christ's gift of salvation for granted. Jesus said to "do this in memory of me." When we receive the Eucharist we should always remember what our salvation cost our blessed Lord.

Thankfulness

Eucharist means "thanksgiving". When we receive the body and blood of the Lord are we truly thankful for the salvation we have in Christ?

Holiness

The Eucharist assists us on our way to holiness. We should meditate on the ways in which we can be more holy with the Lord's help.



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Mysteries of the Rosary

Glorious Mysteries

Joyful Mysteries

Sorrowful Mysteries



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That They May Be One

The Rosary

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last updated 1/15/08