The Fifth Glorious Mystery
The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
1. When the Virgin Mary was borne into Heaven, soul and body, by the
Angels, she was received with great rejoicing by the entire company of
the blessed. A halo of light surrounded her as her Divine Son, Jesus
Christ, placed her on His right hand and proclaimed her Queen of Heaven
and Earth. It was fitting that this
supreme dignity should have been accorded her, for she was the beloved
daughter of the Eternal Father, the immaculate spouse of the Holy
Spirit, and the mother of God, the Word made man and the Second Person
of the Blessed Trinity.
Mary is Queen of the Angels because,
even though she is inferior to them by reason of her human nature, she
is superior to them by reason of her dignity as Mother of God. What
Angel could say to the Incarnate Word: “You are my son”? What Angel
could command Him as she could in her role of Mother?
Mary has
yet another claim to her title which no Angel could ever have. She
participated in the passion of her Son Jesus, offering herself along
with Him as a victim of expiation. She made a contribution in the
supernatural order of the Redemption which neither Angel nor Saint could
have made. With Jesus, through Jesus, and in Jesus, she is the
co-redemptrix of the human race. Let us bow low before such greatness
and join with the choirs of the blessed in paying homage to her.
2. Mary is also styled Queen of the Patriarchs because it was through
her that they came to possess the object of their desires, the divine
Redeemer, Who released them from Limbo and brought them to Heaven. She
is Queen of the Prophets because their prophecies were realised through
her. She is Queen of the Apostles whom she assisted and encouraged after
the departure of her divine Son. She is the Queen of Martyrs because
her maternal heart was pierced by a sword of sorrow. She is Queen of the
Confessors because nobody else was capable of so deep and lively a
profession of the faith. She is the Queen of Virgins because her
virginal purity was crowned by the supreme dignity of Mother of God. She
is Queen, moreover, of all the Saints, for no other human creature
could ever surpass, or even dream of the summit of holiness to which she
attained. Above all, however, she is our Mother and our most powerful
Queen. She loves us because we have been redeemed by the blood of her
Son, Jesus Christ, and she desires to obtain God’s favours for us and to
take us under her maternal protection.
We children of Eve, in exile in this vale of tears, should turn to Mary with confidence and trust in her power to save us.
3. Mary’s reign extends even to the powers of hell, which were
vanquished through her instrumentality as Mother of God. We should not
lose courage when the devil tries to trap us into sinning. Instead, we
should ask Mary, humbly and perseveringly, to save us. Besides praying
to her, however, let us take care to imitate her virtues. We must
endeavour to become more like Mary if we wish her to regard us as her
children and to take us under her maternal protection.
Showing posts with label Glorious Mysteries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glorious Mysteries. Show all posts
Friday, 17 October 2014
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven - Cardinal Bacci
The Fourth Glorious Mystery
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven
1. The Fourth Book of Kings tells us that the prophet Elias was brought up into Heaven in a fiery chariot without having first endured the pains and humiliation of death. (Cf. 4 Kings 2:11) Why did God not do likewise in the case of the Blessed Virgin, commanding His Angels to bear her to Heaven before death struck her innocent body? As St. Paul says, it was sin which caused death to enter the world. From the moment of her conception Mary was free from the slightest taint of sin, for she was immaculate and full of grace. Nevertheless, according to the most widely held tradition, Mary chose to die even as her divine Son had willed to die. Jesus “was offered because it was his own will.” (Is. 53:7) The same is true in Mary’s case, with only this difference. Jesus died a cruel death after the most hideous tortures in the midst of a blaspheming and hate-ridden mob. Nothing like this happened to Mary, although she is called the Queen of Martyrs because of the sword which pierced her soul at the sight of her divine Son dying in such agony.
Jesus willed, however, that the immaculate body of His Mother would remain intact. It was only her great love and intense desire of being reunited with her Son which gradually consumed her mortal life. Her ever-increasing love for God broke the bonds of her mortal frame until she went to sleep at last in the Lord.
If only our death could be the same!
2. Because we are wretched sinners, death for us is a punishment. Let us accept it with resignation. We should frequently offer to God whatever death He has in store for us, with all its sorrow and suffering.
We can gain great merit in this way. As a result of our daily offering, God will surely grant us a more peaceful death. There are many people who long for death. Some desire it in moments of discouragement as a release from the sorrows of life. Others long for it to bring to an end their struggle against their sinful inclinations and to assure them of an everlasting reward, to gain which they may not even have made many sacrifices. The first kind of desire is unworthy of a true soldier of Christ while the second is presumptuous and self-interested. The only legitimate yearning for death is the desire to be united at last with Jesus.
This was the nature of Mary’s desire, as well as that of St. Paul, who wrote that he desired “to depart and to be with Christ.” (Phil. 1:23)
3. As a result of this meditation, let us make the following resolutions in the presence of Mary assumed into Heaven.
(1) To offer to God every day in expiation of our sins whatever kind of death He will please to give us.
(2) To build up for ourselves henceforth a substantial credit account of good actions and generous sacrifices.
(3) To pray fervently to our Mother Mary to obtain for us from her divine Son a death which will be peaceful like hers with all our sins forgiven and our hearts filled with a loving desire to be with God.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven
1. The Fourth Book of Kings tells us that the prophet Elias was brought up into Heaven in a fiery chariot without having first endured the pains and humiliation of death. (Cf. 4 Kings 2:11) Why did God not do likewise in the case of the Blessed Virgin, commanding His Angels to bear her to Heaven before death struck her innocent body? As St. Paul says, it was sin which caused death to enter the world. From the moment of her conception Mary was free from the slightest taint of sin, for she was immaculate and full of grace. Nevertheless, according to the most widely held tradition, Mary chose to die even as her divine Son had willed to die. Jesus “was offered because it was his own will.” (Is. 53:7) The same is true in Mary’s case, with only this difference. Jesus died a cruel death after the most hideous tortures in the midst of a blaspheming and hate-ridden mob. Nothing like this happened to Mary, although she is called the Queen of Martyrs because of the sword which pierced her soul at the sight of her divine Son dying in such agony.
Jesus willed, however, that the immaculate body of His Mother would remain intact. It was only her great love and intense desire of being reunited with her Son which gradually consumed her mortal life. Her ever-increasing love for God broke the bonds of her mortal frame until she went to sleep at last in the Lord.
If only our death could be the same!
2. Because we are wretched sinners, death for us is a punishment. Let us accept it with resignation. We should frequently offer to God whatever death He has in store for us, with all its sorrow and suffering.
We can gain great merit in this way. As a result of our daily offering, God will surely grant us a more peaceful death. There are many people who long for death. Some desire it in moments of discouragement as a release from the sorrows of life. Others long for it to bring to an end their struggle against their sinful inclinations and to assure them of an everlasting reward, to gain which they may not even have made many sacrifices. The first kind of desire is unworthy of a true soldier of Christ while the second is presumptuous and self-interested. The only legitimate yearning for death is the desire to be united at last with Jesus.
This was the nature of Mary’s desire, as well as that of St. Paul, who wrote that he desired “to depart and to be with Christ.” (Phil. 1:23)
3. As a result of this meditation, let us make the following resolutions in the presence of Mary assumed into Heaven.
(1) To offer to God every day in expiation of our sins whatever kind of death He will please to give us.
(2) To build up for ourselves henceforth a substantial credit account of good actions and generous sacrifices.
(3) To pray fervently to our Mother Mary to obtain for us from her divine Son a death which will be peaceful like hers with all our sins forgiven and our hearts filled with a loving desire to be with God.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Cardinal Bacci
The Third Glorious Mystery
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
1. Before He left this earth for the glory of Heaven, Jesus promised His Apostles that He would not leave them orphans, but would send them the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, “whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.” (1 John 14:16-18) This promise was repeated by our divine Redeemer on the day of His ascension, when He told them not to depart from Jerusalem until the promise would have been fulfilled. In fact, the Apostles were obedient to His instructions. They gathered together in the Cenacle, where they spent the time in constant prayer along with Mary and a number of the faithful. On the feast of Pentecost the house was shaken by a sound from Heaven as of a violent wind blowing, and tongues of fire appeared which settled on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Cf. Acts 1:2)
According to a pious tradition the Holy Spirit descended first on the Blessed Virgin in the form of a ball of flame, from which emerged the tongues of fire which alighted on the heads of all present. There is a good deal of significance in this tradition. As Mary took first place in sharing in the passion of Jesus, so she ought to be first to share in the glory of the Redemption. St. Bernard compared the Blessed Virgin to an aquaduct bearing the treasures of grace and the gifts of the Holy Ghost to all the faithful. (Serm. De Aquaeductu.) It is an apt comparison, for the Mother of the Redeemer occupies a position of supremacy in the mystical body of Jesus Christ. Like the Apostles, we should persevere in prayer with Mary. (Cf. Acts 1:14) We should ask for the light and gifts of the Holy Spirit, for we need them very much if we are to walk always in the way of truth and goodness.
2. The Apostles were completely transformed after the feast of Pentecost. They had been ignorant rustics, timid and vacillating. They had hardly understood at all the lofty teaching of Christ, for they were hoping for an earthly kingdom in which they would occupy the highest posts.
When they received the Holy Spirit, however, their minds were flooded with supernatural light and they became heroic in their resolution. Ignorant though they had been, they became masters of truth far superior to the sages of Athens or the philosophers of Rome. They were no longer timid and hesitating, but fearlessly encountered the power of the Sanhedrin, the whips of the soldiery, the dangers of long voyages, and martyrdom itself.
We also have received the illumination and favours of the Holy Spirit. Many times when we have invoked Him, He has inspired and consoled us. But we may not have responded with the same fervour and self-denial as the Apostles. Let us remember that to neglect God’s gifts is to risk our eternal salvation.
3. Because of our weakness we should seek the intercession of Mary and, like the Apostles, persevere in prayer with her. Our prayers, however, should be more supernatural.
There is nothing to prevent us asking our good Mother to look after our temporal needs, such as our health, our business, and our attachments. The first miracle which Mary wrung from the heart of Jesus was at the wedding feast of Cana. Nevertheless, we should not be too materialistic. We should seek first of all from the Holy Spirit through Mary’s intercession the great glory of God and the eternal salvation of ourselves and of all our brothers in Jesus Christ.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
1. Before He left this earth for the glory of Heaven, Jesus promised His Apostles that He would not leave them orphans, but would send them the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, “whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.” (1 John 14:16-18) This promise was repeated by our divine Redeemer on the day of His ascension, when He told them not to depart from Jerusalem until the promise would have been fulfilled. In fact, the Apostles were obedient to His instructions. They gathered together in the Cenacle, where they spent the time in constant prayer along with Mary and a number of the faithful. On the feast of Pentecost the house was shaken by a sound from Heaven as of a violent wind blowing, and tongues of fire appeared which settled on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Cf. Acts 1:2)
According to a pious tradition the Holy Spirit descended first on the Blessed Virgin in the form of a ball of flame, from which emerged the tongues of fire which alighted on the heads of all present. There is a good deal of significance in this tradition. As Mary took first place in sharing in the passion of Jesus, so she ought to be first to share in the glory of the Redemption. St. Bernard compared the Blessed Virgin to an aquaduct bearing the treasures of grace and the gifts of the Holy Ghost to all the faithful. (Serm. De Aquaeductu.) It is an apt comparison, for the Mother of the Redeemer occupies a position of supremacy in the mystical body of Jesus Christ. Like the Apostles, we should persevere in prayer with Mary. (Cf. Acts 1:14) We should ask for the light and gifts of the Holy Spirit, for we need them very much if we are to walk always in the way of truth and goodness.
2. The Apostles were completely transformed after the feast of Pentecost. They had been ignorant rustics, timid and vacillating. They had hardly understood at all the lofty teaching of Christ, for they were hoping for an earthly kingdom in which they would occupy the highest posts.
When they received the Holy Spirit, however, their minds were flooded with supernatural light and they became heroic in their resolution. Ignorant though they had been, they became masters of truth far superior to the sages of Athens or the philosophers of Rome. They were no longer timid and hesitating, but fearlessly encountered the power of the Sanhedrin, the whips of the soldiery, the dangers of long voyages, and martyrdom itself.
We also have received the illumination and favours of the Holy Spirit. Many times when we have invoked Him, He has inspired and consoled us. But we may not have responded with the same fervour and self-denial as the Apostles. Let us remember that to neglect God’s gifts is to risk our eternal salvation.
3. Because of our weakness we should seek the intercession of Mary and, like the Apostles, persevere in prayer with her. Our prayers, however, should be more supernatural.
There is nothing to prevent us asking our good Mother to look after our temporal needs, such as our health, our business, and our attachments. The first miracle which Mary wrung from the heart of Jesus was at the wedding feast of Cana. Nevertheless, we should not be too materialistic. We should seek first of all from the Holy Spirit through Mary’s intercession the great glory of God and the eternal salvation of ourselves and of all our brothers in Jesus Christ.
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven - Cardinal Bacci
The Second Glorious Mystery
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven
1. Forty days after His glorious resurrection Jesus came with all His friends, among them His Mother, to the Mount of Olives. This area had already witnessed the opening phase of His passion, which was all the more poignant, perhaps, because in Gethsemane it was not His body which was lacerated by scourges and nails, but His soul which experienced the agonising vision of the sins and ingratitude of the human race. Now, however, He is here with a glorified body as the conqueror of sin and of death. He looks for the last time on His small band of followers, to whom He has entrusted His mission of transforming the entire universe by preaching and putting into practice the Gospel message throughout the world. Now He promises them the Holy Spirit, Who will give them the power to overcome evil. Then He is lifted up towards Heaven, until a bright cloud hides Him from their sight.
Perhaps the Blessed Mother was the last to take her eyes off the disappearing cloud which had removed Jesus from view. Her human eyes never saw again the beloved figure of her divine Son, but in her soul she saw Him entering triumphantly into Heaven among choirs of Angels and sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father. She saw, and thought with infinite yearning of the not too distant day when she would have passed from mortal exile into the everlasting happiness of Heaven, where she would embrace her divine Son again in an ecstasy of love.
We have all been called to ascent to Heaven with Jesus and Mary. Let us remember, however, that only the innocent and the repentant can be admitted into Paradise. If we have been unfortunate enough to have lost our baptismal innocence, only the second way is left to us – the way of penance. We must purify ourselves of our sins by means of good works.
2. We must ascend higher and higher towards the summit of Christian perfection.
In the course of our ascent we must never stop and decide that we have gone far enough. To stop would inevitably mean going back. Jesus and Mary are inviting and encouraging us to go higher and higher.
Have we been purified of sin, the defiler of the soul and the destroyer of human dignity? Have we an intense horror even of venial sin, which separates us from God and kills the life of grace? It is still not enough; we must go higher.
Are we generous and unselfish in the fight to achieve holiness, guarding ourselves against the evil suggestions of the world, the flesh, and the devil? It is still not enough; we must continue to advance.
Do we carry the daily cross which God has entrusted to us and accept the burden with perfect resignation to His Holy Will? Very good, but even this is not enough.
3. O God, what more must we do for You? One thing only, He replies. We must belong altogether to Him, love only Him, and work only for Him. Then we shall have completed our ascent and shall be able to say with St. Paul: “It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20) This is the final goal which we must strive whole-heartedly to attain.
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven
1. Forty days after His glorious resurrection Jesus came with all His friends, among them His Mother, to the Mount of Olives. This area had already witnessed the opening phase of His passion, which was all the more poignant, perhaps, because in Gethsemane it was not His body which was lacerated by scourges and nails, but His soul which experienced the agonising vision of the sins and ingratitude of the human race. Now, however, He is here with a glorified body as the conqueror of sin and of death. He looks for the last time on His small band of followers, to whom He has entrusted His mission of transforming the entire universe by preaching and putting into practice the Gospel message throughout the world. Now He promises them the Holy Spirit, Who will give them the power to overcome evil. Then He is lifted up towards Heaven, until a bright cloud hides Him from their sight.
Perhaps the Blessed Mother was the last to take her eyes off the disappearing cloud which had removed Jesus from view. Her human eyes never saw again the beloved figure of her divine Son, but in her soul she saw Him entering triumphantly into Heaven among choirs of Angels and sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father. She saw, and thought with infinite yearning of the not too distant day when she would have passed from mortal exile into the everlasting happiness of Heaven, where she would embrace her divine Son again in an ecstasy of love.
We have all been called to ascent to Heaven with Jesus and Mary. Let us remember, however, that only the innocent and the repentant can be admitted into Paradise. If we have been unfortunate enough to have lost our baptismal innocence, only the second way is left to us – the way of penance. We must purify ourselves of our sins by means of good works.
2. We must ascend higher and higher towards the summit of Christian perfection.
In the course of our ascent we must never stop and decide that we have gone far enough. To stop would inevitably mean going back. Jesus and Mary are inviting and encouraging us to go higher and higher.
Have we been purified of sin, the defiler of the soul and the destroyer of human dignity? Have we an intense horror even of venial sin, which separates us from God and kills the life of grace? It is still not enough; we must go higher.
Are we generous and unselfish in the fight to achieve holiness, guarding ourselves against the evil suggestions of the world, the flesh, and the devil? It is still not enough; we must continue to advance.
Do we carry the daily cross which God has entrusted to us and accept the burden with perfect resignation to His Holy Will? Very good, but even this is not enough.
3. O God, what more must we do for You? One thing only, He replies. We must belong altogether to Him, love only Him, and work only for Him. Then we shall have completed our ascent and shall be able to say with St. Paul: “It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20) This is the final goal which we must strive whole-heartedly to attain.
The Resurrection of Our Lord - Cardinal Bacci
The First Glorious Mystery
The Resurrection of Our Lord
1. Jesus could not have remained lifeless in the sepulchre. He was the Man-God, the conqueror of sin and of death. He willed to be subject to all the conditions of human existence with the exception of sin; therefore, He suffered and died for love of us.
However, as He had foretold, He rose gloriously from the tomb on the third day. This resurrection is proved historically in a most certain manner by the behaviour of the Apostles, who were at first downcast and incredulous, and were transformed into heroes and martyrs by the glorious apparitions of Jesus. It is confirmed by the obstinacy and deceitfulness of the Jews, who went so far as to bribe the soldiers who were guarding the sepulchre not to reveal the truth. It is proved, moreover, by the fact that the Apostle Thomas refused to believe in the Resurrection until he had placed his finger in the wounds of the Redeemer, Who afterwards appeared to him.
We read in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles that the risen Jesus appeared many times to the Apostles to confirm their faith, to speak with them of the Kingdom of God, and to give them His final instructions and commands. We read also that He appeared to Mary Magdalen to reward her great love and to console her. Nowhere do we read that He appeared to His beloved Mother, Mary. However, the heart tells us what the Gospels omit to mention. Surely it is impossible to suppose that the risen Jesus would not have hastened to embrace and to console her who had borne Him in her chaste womb and had loved Him so much that she followed Him to the foot of Cross?
The apparitions of Jesus narrated in the Gospel had a public purpose, being intended to confirm the faith of those who were fearful, discouraged, or incredulous. The apparitions to Mary were intimate and affectionate meetings with His dear Mother, who had never doubted for one moment that He would rise again. There may be another explanation, however. It is possible that Mary’s humility would have prevented her from discussing with others her happy moments of reunion with her risen Son.
2. Do we wish to share also in the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Let us imitate Mary. First of all, we must participate as she did in the sufferings of Christ. By meditating frequently on the passion and death of Christ we can nourish in our hearts an intense love for Him Who suffered so much for our salvation. Let us learn to carry our cross, as He carried His, with resignation and with conformity to God’s will. Spiritual joy is always the fruit of renunciation and of love.
We cannot be happy with Jesus triumphant if we have not first imitated Jesus suffering. We cannot rise gloriously into Heaven if we have not first walked patiently with Mary along the way of Calvary.
3. The Resurrection of Christ demands a resurrection on our part also. If we are in sin, we must rise again. Or it may be that we must rise from a state of torpor to one of fervour, or from a life of worldly pleasure to an interior life nourished by grace, or from a life of selfishness to one of sacrifice.
In which state do we find ourselves? In the presence of the risen Christ and of His Blessed Mother happy in the contemplation of His glory, let us resolve to rise from sin and from spiritual tepidity in order to set out on the way of Christian perfection.
The Resurrection of Our Lord
1. Jesus could not have remained lifeless in the sepulchre. He was the Man-God, the conqueror of sin and of death. He willed to be subject to all the conditions of human existence with the exception of sin; therefore, He suffered and died for love of us.
However, as He had foretold, He rose gloriously from the tomb on the third day. This resurrection is proved historically in a most certain manner by the behaviour of the Apostles, who were at first downcast and incredulous, and were transformed into heroes and martyrs by the glorious apparitions of Jesus. It is confirmed by the obstinacy and deceitfulness of the Jews, who went so far as to bribe the soldiers who were guarding the sepulchre not to reveal the truth. It is proved, moreover, by the fact that the Apostle Thomas refused to believe in the Resurrection until he had placed his finger in the wounds of the Redeemer, Who afterwards appeared to him.
We read in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles that the risen Jesus appeared many times to the Apostles to confirm their faith, to speak with them of the Kingdom of God, and to give them His final instructions and commands. We read also that He appeared to Mary Magdalen to reward her great love and to console her. Nowhere do we read that He appeared to His beloved Mother, Mary. However, the heart tells us what the Gospels omit to mention. Surely it is impossible to suppose that the risen Jesus would not have hastened to embrace and to console her who had borne Him in her chaste womb and had loved Him so much that she followed Him to the foot of Cross?
The apparitions of Jesus narrated in the Gospel had a public purpose, being intended to confirm the faith of those who were fearful, discouraged, or incredulous. The apparitions to Mary were intimate and affectionate meetings with His dear Mother, who had never doubted for one moment that He would rise again. There may be another explanation, however. It is possible that Mary’s humility would have prevented her from discussing with others her happy moments of reunion with her risen Son.
2. Do we wish to share also in the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Let us imitate Mary. First of all, we must participate as she did in the sufferings of Christ. By meditating frequently on the passion and death of Christ we can nourish in our hearts an intense love for Him Who suffered so much for our salvation. Let us learn to carry our cross, as He carried His, with resignation and with conformity to God’s will. Spiritual joy is always the fruit of renunciation and of love.
We cannot be happy with Jesus triumphant if we have not first imitated Jesus suffering. We cannot rise gloriously into Heaven if we have not first walked patiently with Mary along the way of Calvary.
3. The Resurrection of Christ demands a resurrection on our part also. If we are in sin, we must rise again. Or it may be that we must rise from a state of torpor to one of fervour, or from a life of worldly pleasure to an interior life nourished by grace, or from a life of selfishness to one of sacrifice.
In which state do we find ourselves? In the presence of the risen Christ and of His Blessed Mother happy in the contemplation of His glory, let us resolve to rise from sin and from spiritual tepidity in order to set out on the way of Christian perfection.
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