The Luminous Mysteries

Penance Rosary continues...

1st Luminous Mystery  

Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. (Mt 3,13-17)

O Father, as we contemplate John's Baptism of Repentance of Your Beloved Son Jesus, human yet eternally sinless, we beg Your help and grace to recognize and amend our own sinful ways. Help us to see where our service to You can be better.  Help us to hear Your voice so that we may do Your will for us rather than follow our own whims.  Help us to touch the hearts and minds of those You send into our lives.  For the sake of Our Lord Jesus, whom You acclaimed from heaven, sending the Spirit to fortify Him to reconcile all creation to You, we beg your aid.   Amen.

Our Father...

For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21
Hail Mary . . .

He went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in . . . Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” Lk 3:3
Hail Mary . . .

And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Lk 3:10-11
Hail Mary . . .

Jesus also had been baptized . . . 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.” Lk 3:21-22
Hail Mary . . .

Here is my servant whom I uphold, / my chosen one with whom I am pleased, / Upon whom I have put my spirit. Is 42:1
Hail Mary . . .

A bruised reed he shall not break, / and a smoldering wick he shall not quench. Is 42:3
Hail Mary . . .

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice. Is 42:6
Hail Mary . . .

I formed you, and set you / as a covenant of the people, / a light for the nations. Is 42:6
Hail Mary . . .

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, / because he has anointed me / to bring glad tidings to the poor.” Lk 4:18
Hail Mary . . .

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives / and recovery of sight to the blind, / to let the oppressed go free, / and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Lk 4:18-19
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .

Porta Sancta - Baptism of Christ

When Abram first comes to Canaan from Ur with his nephew Lot, the latter eventually settles east of the Jordan while God promises Abram the land near Hebron to the west.  When Moses leads his descendants from bondage in Egypt, crossing the Jordan marks their entry to this Promised Land.

This pericope has been a frequent icon for my own reflections. I bought three Porta Sancta medals when I brought my children to Rome for the Jubilee in 2000. I wore the medal shown to the left until the metal coating wore away.

River Jordan empties into a salt lake where nothing can thrive.  I always found it rather fitting that John chooses to send sins downriver to a place that leads to death since that is where we float also should we choose to retain our sins.  John of Patmos speaks two generations later of the faithful who washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb, an interesting and insightful word picture for a baptism of Living Water that is immersion and participation in the Passion of the Christ.  Bathe in the Precious Blood:  a permanent stain that cleans you to resemble the Resurrected Lord.  Awesomeness.

• 2nd Luminous Mystery 
• The Wedding at Cana

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to Him, "They have no more wine." 
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." 
This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him. (Jn 2,1-12)

Almighty God, as we contemplate the mystery of the Miracle at Cana, we ask that You might help us to be patient with ourselves and with our brethren.  Help us to recognize when our own time has come to do Your bidding, and when we need to grow spiritually yet before we are fit for Your service.  Open our minds and hearts to the vocations of others, that we might be an aid to them and not a stumbling block.  With You, Lord, all things are possible:  even turning wash water into the choicest wine.  We beg your mercy through the merits of Your only Son, who heard the voice of His mother and came to her aid in obedience to the Father's command to honor her.  Amen.

Our Father . . .

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Jn 2:3
Hail Mary . . .

Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." Jn 2:4
Hail Mary . . .

His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Jn 2:5
Hail Mary . . .

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." Jn 2:7-8
Hail Mary . . .

The headwaiter called the bridegroom 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." Jn 2:9-10
Hail Mary . . .

If I . . . have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, 
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
Jn 13:14-15
Hail Mary . . .

To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, 
pray for those who mistreat you. Lk 6:27-28
Hail Mary . . .

Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. 
Forgive and you will be forgiven. Lk 6:37
Hail Mary . . .

Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and 
take up his cross daily and follow me." Lk 9:23
Hail Mary . . .

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. Jn 15:12
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .

John shares the story of the Wedding at Cana immediately after John the Baptizer bears witness to Jesus, resulting in Andrew and John the son of Zebedee leaving all behind to follow Him; from these two were called Simon Peter, Philip, and Nathanael for a total of five (numerological symbol for the salvation of humankind).  These men, and possibly others, accompanied Jesus and his mother at the wedding.  Philip is a favorite of mine, his constant companion is called Bartholomew in the synoptics and Nathanael in the gospel of John.  My older boy, Stephen Joseph, chose Bartholomew as his confirmation name; his best friend in high school was Steven Joseph Nathanael... I referred to them jokingly as 'Stephen Squared'...

The conversation with Mary his mother seems carefully constructed to me.  When she says that there is no wine for the wedding guests, Jesus calls her 'woman' and basically dismisses her statement as a mere human concern.  But the Blessed Mother speaks then as she does even to the present day:  she is the voice of her spouse, the Holy Spirit.  When she contradicts Jesus and orders the servants to obey Him, He hears the voice of His Father through her and knows that, despite His hesitance, the time has indeed come to reveal directly what John has attested.  [please tell the NAB editors that they should fix their footnotes in their next edition, lol...]

3rd Luminous Mystery:  

Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. 

Repent and believe the good news!" (Mk 1,15)

Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, 

calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) 

and forgives the sins of all who draw near to Him 

in humble trust (cf. Mk 2:3-13; Lk 7:47- 48) 

The inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to His Church (cf. Jn 20:22-23).

Almighty and Eternal Father, through our baptism we share in the life of the Trinity under Jesus' cloak.  As we contemplate the mystery of the preaching and healing ministry of the Emmanuel who pitched His tent among us, help us always to be cognizant that our thoughts, words, and deeds should reflect 

Our Father.....

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God. Mk 1:14
Hail Mary . . .

This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. Mk 1:15
Hail Mary . . .

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, / because he has anointed me / to bring glad tidings to the poor. Lk 4:18
Hail Mary . . .

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives / and recovery of sight to the blind, / to let the oppressed go free, / and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Lk 4:18-19
Hail Mary . . .

Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. Lk 4:21
Hail Mary . . .

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you . . . when someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. Mt 5:38-39
Hail Mary . . .

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." 

But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Mt 5:43-44
Hail Mary . . .

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . 

But store up treasures in heaven . . . 

for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Mt 6:19-21
Hail Mary . . .

Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets. Mt 7:12
Hail Mary . . .

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Mt 10:8
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .

Mark's Gospel recounts the first day of Jesus' public ministry (Mark 1:14-31), which consists of teaching, exorcism (freeing from mortal sin), healing, and prayer.  Matthew has Jesus tempted in the desert, then calling disciples before beginning to preach when John is arrested.  In Luke's telling, Jesus is tempted; then that he reads the Isaiah scroll in Nazareth (Luke 4:18-21)

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners; To announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn; To place on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, To give them oil of gladness in place of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit. They will be called oaks of justice, planted by the LORD to show his glory.... (Isaiah 61:1-3)

• 4th Luminous Mystery  
• The Transfiguration of the Lord

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.

They spoke about His departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and His companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to Him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.) 

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him." 

When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. 

The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.(Luk 9,28-35)

Almighty and Eternal Father, 

Our Father.....

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Mt 17:1-2
Hail Mary . . .

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. Lk 9:30-31
Hail Mary . . .

Peter and his companions . . . saw his glory and the two men standing with him. Lk 9:32
Hail Mary . . .

Peter said . . . "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents. . . ." But he did not know what he was saying. Lk 9:33
Hail Mary . . .

A voice [said], "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Mt 17:5
Hail Mary . . .

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. Mt 17:7-8
Hail Mary . . .

Through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jn 1:4-5
Hail Mary . . .

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him. Jn 1:18
Hail Mary . . .

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18
Hail Mary . . .

You are the light of the world . . . your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Mt 5:14, 16
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .

• Institution of the Eucharist
• 5th Luminous Mystery

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 
"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." (Mk 14,22-25)

Almighty and Eternal Father, 

Our Father.....

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. Jn 13:1
Hail Mary . . .

My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples. Mt 26:18
Hail Mary . . .

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.
Lk 22:15-16
Hail Mary . . .

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."
Lk 22:19
Hail Mary . . .

And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Lk 22:20
Hail Mary . . .

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
1 Cor 11:26
Hail Mary . . .

I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one . . . that the world may believe that you sent me. Jn 17:20-21
Hail Mary . . .

Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. 1 Cor 12:27
Hail Mary . . .

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13
Hail Mary . . .

If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. 1 Cor 12:26
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .