The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
1. Mary and Joseph came according to custom to celebrate the feast of
the Pasch in Jerusalem. They took with them Jesus, Who was now twelve
years of age. When the feast was over, the pilgrims came together to
return to Nazareth. As usual, they gathered in the temple to say a final
prayer and then divided into two companies, one consisting of men, the
other of women. The children were assigned to either caravan.
At any rate, when the two groups came together for the night after a
day’s journey, Mary and Joseph looked in vain for Jesus. He could not be
found in either caravan. We can imagine how they suffered. However,
they returned without delay to Jerusalem to look for their Child. They
searched for three days. At last, when they went into the Temple to pour
out their troubles to God, they found Jesus sitting among the doctors,
who were amazed at the wisdom of his answers and of his questions. There
was joy and sorrow in Mary’s countenance as she regarded Him. “Son,”
she said gently, “why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow thy
father and I have been seeking thee.” Jesus’ reply was also mild and at
the same time mysterious. “How is it that you sought me? Did you not
know that I must be about my Father’s business?”
Then He
returned with them to Nazareth, where He remained “subject to them.” But
His mother, we are told, “kept all these things carefully in her
heart.” (Cf. Luke 2:41-51)
This mystery of the Rosary is at the
same time joyful and sorrowful. We can learn a good deal by meditating
on it. We can admire the divine wisdom of Jesus, Who even from childhood
desired to reveal a little of the truth, and also His obedience to Mary
and Joseph until He reached thirty years of age. We can admire, too,
His hidden life in the workshop in Nazareth, interrupted only by this
brief demonstration of His divinity; and the anxiety of Mary and Joseph
to find Jesus when they had lost Him, as well as their delight when He
was restored to them.
2. If we should ever have the great
misfortune of losing Jesus, let us have recourse at once to Mary and
Joseph, who lost Him without any fault on their part, searched anxiously
for Him, and did not rest until they had found Him.
To search
for Jesus is the principal obligation of the soul, to find Him is its
highest happiness. If we are without Jesus, our minds are in darkness
and scarred with false ideas. Separated from Him, our hearts are filled
with remorse, emptiness, and yearning. Only when Jesus is with us have
life and death any meaning. Then we can set our journey towards the
unfading star of Christian hope.
When Jesus had promised to
give us His flesh to eat and His blood to drink, He saw that his
listeners were going away scandalised. “Do you also wish to go away?” He
asked His Apostles. “Lord,” replied St. Peter, “to whom shall we go?
Thou hast words of everlasting life.” (John 6:69)
3. By mortal
sin we lose Jesus, and we lose our peace of soul. By venial sin we put
Jesus farther away from us. For this reason we should not only avoid
mortal sin, which leads to spiritual misery, but also venial sin, which
diminishes our charity and weakens our spiritual life. We should,
moreover, have compassion for poor sinners, who are our own brothers and
are supremely happy, even if they may not realise it. We should pray a
great deal for them, so that they may soon return to Jesus, Whom they
have lost.
We should ask the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph to
intercede for sinners so that they may return forever to the merciful
embrace of their divine Redeemer.
Showing posts with label Joyful Mysteries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joyful Mysteries. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
The Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple - Cardinal Bacci
The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
1. Since the fall of our first parents, human mothers have carried in their wombs souls dead to grace and have given birth to children stained with sin. Therefore it is necessary for the waters of Baptism to confer on these infants a second life, the supernatural life. A ceremony of purification is also required for these mothers, a rite which was of obligation under the Old Law, but under the New Law remains only as a pious custom.
The Blessed Virgin was not subject to the rule of sin. By a special privilege she was preserved free from the stain of original sin and was created and conceived in the fullness of grace. Moreover, she became a mother not by any human agency but by the power of the Holy Spirit, which preserved intact her angelic virginity. For this reason Mary was not bound by the Mosaic law which laid down the ceremony of purification as necessary for all mothers. Nevertheless, in order to give us an example of humility and of absolute obedience to the law of God, she chose to fulfil this sacred rite.
How well do we comply with the law of God, with the precepts of the Church, and with the commands of our superiors who represent divine authority? Perhaps we can excuse ourselves too easily from our obligations. Perhaps we are not sufficiently ready to give good example to others. We may evade the sacrifices which our duty demands of us, or we may fail to see God in the person who gives us our instructions.
Let us learn from the Blessed Virgin. Even when she was not obliged to do so, she obeyed the law and gave us a wonderful example of humility and submission to Almighty God.
2. Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born son with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the part of the Holy Family. In spite of the supreme dignity which had been accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in poverty and in sin. We who are so fond of money and of ostentation have much to learn from this scene. Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a sinner for two young pigeons. Mary, the immaculate virgin and mother, and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to the law of sin. We can derive from this lessons in humility and in detachment.
3. During the ceremony a devout man, enlightened by God, entered the temple. He asked and obtained the privilege of holding the divine Infant in his arms. This was Simeon, a holy old man to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that before he died he would see the expected Messiah, the Redeemer of the sinful human race. Overjoyed as he held Jesus in his arms, he exclaimed: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace.” (Luke 2:29)
May God grant that when we come to the end of our mortal lives we may also have the pleasure of clasping Jesus to our hearts. Then we can say with confidence in God’s mercy: Receive thy servant in peace, O Lord. Forgive him and receive him into everlasting happiness.
The Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
1. Since the fall of our first parents, human mothers have carried in their wombs souls dead to grace and have given birth to children stained with sin. Therefore it is necessary for the waters of Baptism to confer on these infants a second life, the supernatural life. A ceremony of purification is also required for these mothers, a rite which was of obligation under the Old Law, but under the New Law remains only as a pious custom.
The Blessed Virgin was not subject to the rule of sin. By a special privilege she was preserved free from the stain of original sin and was created and conceived in the fullness of grace. Moreover, she became a mother not by any human agency but by the power of the Holy Spirit, which preserved intact her angelic virginity. For this reason Mary was not bound by the Mosaic law which laid down the ceremony of purification as necessary for all mothers. Nevertheless, in order to give us an example of humility and of absolute obedience to the law of God, she chose to fulfil this sacred rite.
How well do we comply with the law of God, with the precepts of the Church, and with the commands of our superiors who represent divine authority? Perhaps we can excuse ourselves too easily from our obligations. Perhaps we are not sufficiently ready to give good example to others. We may evade the sacrifices which our duty demands of us, or we may fail to see God in the person who gives us our instructions.
Let us learn from the Blessed Virgin. Even when she was not obliged to do so, she obeyed the law and gave us a wonderful example of humility and submission to Almighty God.
2. Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born son with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the part of the Holy Family. In spite of the supreme dignity which had been accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in poverty and in sin. We who are so fond of money and of ostentation have much to learn from this scene. Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a sinner for two young pigeons. Mary, the immaculate virgin and mother, and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to the law of sin. We can derive from this lessons in humility and in detachment.
3. During the ceremony a devout man, enlightened by God, entered the temple. He asked and obtained the privilege of holding the divine Infant in his arms. This was Simeon, a holy old man to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that before he died he would see the expected Messiah, the Redeemer of the sinful human race. Overjoyed as he held Jesus in his arms, he exclaimed: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace.” (Luke 2:29)
May God grant that when we come to the end of our mortal lives we may also have the pleasure of clasping Jesus to our hearts. Then we can say with confidence in God’s mercy: Receive thy servant in peace, O Lord. Forgive him and receive him into everlasting happiness.
The Birth of Jesus - Cardinal Bacci
The Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus
1. When God became man in order to instruct and redeem the lost and erring human race, the gesture would have been deprived of its real significance if He had chosen to be born in a palace, surrounded by the passing splendour of worldly glory and wealth.
It would have been meaningless not only for God, but also for us, if He had abandoned the imperishable glory of Heaven and the infinite wealth of everlasting happiness in order to assume the kind of earthly grandeur which in His eyes is but a vanishing cloud. What we needed was to learn the way of humility and of detachment from worldly things, which can so easily lead us to forget the supernatural. We needed someone to come and sanctify suffering, which purifies and elevates the soul. We needed someone to appease divine justice on our behalf and to teach us that the way of the cross is the only one which can lead to Heaven. This was why the Eternal Word of God became a poor and lowly infant, choosing a stable rather than a palace, and the little village of Bethlehem in Judea in preference to the imperial city of Rome. He wished His extreme poverty and deprivation to be His first lesson to mankind.
2. Like the simple shepherds, let us prostrate ourselves with faith and with love before the manger. Let us offer as our gifts our good resolutions; let us offer our hearts and ask God to change them and make them entirely His forever.
Quite suddenly, the darkness of the night and the wretchedness of the cave were illuminated by a bright light from Heaven. While men were unaware of, or indifferent to, the miraculous event which had taken place, bands of Angels descended from Heaven and sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.” (Luke 2:13-14) Joseph bent over the divine Infant and silently adored Him, while the Blessed Virgin knelt at His feet in loving contemplation.
3. Let us, too, learn to adore and love Him as His Mother and foster-father did. Let us love Him, that is, with a contemplative love, not distracted by worldly affairs; with a humble love, because we owe everything to Him, without whom we are nothing but miserable sinners; with a sympathetic love, because we know that He suffered for us and spent Himself for our eternal salvation; and lastly, with a love which is entirely dedicated. After all, if He loved us so much that He gave Himself entirely for us, it is only just that in our love for Him we should sacrifice ourselves completely. All our thoughts, affections, and actions should be offered to Him with purity of intention and with a firm resolution of living in accordance with His holy will.
The Birth of Jesus
1. When God became man in order to instruct and redeem the lost and erring human race, the gesture would have been deprived of its real significance if He had chosen to be born in a palace, surrounded by the passing splendour of worldly glory and wealth.
It would have been meaningless not only for God, but also for us, if He had abandoned the imperishable glory of Heaven and the infinite wealth of everlasting happiness in order to assume the kind of earthly grandeur which in His eyes is but a vanishing cloud. What we needed was to learn the way of humility and of detachment from worldly things, which can so easily lead us to forget the supernatural. We needed someone to come and sanctify suffering, which purifies and elevates the soul. We needed someone to appease divine justice on our behalf and to teach us that the way of the cross is the only one which can lead to Heaven. This was why the Eternal Word of God became a poor and lowly infant, choosing a stable rather than a palace, and the little village of Bethlehem in Judea in preference to the imperial city of Rome. He wished His extreme poverty and deprivation to be His first lesson to mankind.
2. Like the simple shepherds, let us prostrate ourselves with faith and with love before the manger. Let us offer as our gifts our good resolutions; let us offer our hearts and ask God to change them and make them entirely His forever.
Quite suddenly, the darkness of the night and the wretchedness of the cave were illuminated by a bright light from Heaven. While men were unaware of, or indifferent to, the miraculous event which had taken place, bands of Angels descended from Heaven and sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.” (Luke 2:13-14) Joseph bent over the divine Infant and silently adored Him, while the Blessed Virgin knelt at His feet in loving contemplation.
3. Let us, too, learn to adore and love Him as His Mother and foster-father did. Let us love Him, that is, with a contemplative love, not distracted by worldly affairs; with a humble love, because we owe everything to Him, without whom we are nothing but miserable sinners; with a sympathetic love, because we know that He suffered for us and spent Himself for our eternal salvation; and lastly, with a love which is entirely dedicated. After all, if He loved us so much that He gave Himself entirely for us, it is only just that in our love for Him we should sacrifice ourselves completely. All our thoughts, affections, and actions should be offered to Him with purity of intention and with a firm resolution of living in accordance with His holy will.
Mary’s Visit to St. Elizabeth - Cardinal Bacci
The Second Joyful Mystery
Mary’s Visit to St. Elizabeth
1. When the Angel told Mary that she had been chosen to be the Mother of God, he proceeded to reveal also the imminent birth of the Precursor of Jesus Christ. Her cousin, Elizabeth, he told her, who had been sterile for such a long time, would soon have the joy of bearing a son. When the Blessed Virgin heard this good news, she set out for a long and difficult journey to congratulate her cousin.
The devout soul is always motivated by charity and pays no attention to difficulties or obstacles because the grace of God possesses it completely. We also have received, and continue to receive, many graces from our Creator. We were nothing, and God gave us being. We were in darkness, and He gave us the light of faith. We were slaves of sin, and Jesus Christ broke the bonds in which the devil held us and gave us the freedom of the children of God. We were exiles on this earth and God became our companion and our guide. We hungered for the supernatural, and He nourished us with the divine Bread in which He gave Himself to us completely.
2. But are we as grateful to God as we ought to be! Do we correspond with His graces? Are we prepared to make any sacrifice in order to share with others the gift with which He has enriched us?
Let us remember that gratitude is a virtue which is very pleasing to God and draws down on us other graces and gifts.
In his panegyric on Trajan the younger Pliny observes that the best means of soliciting new favours is to show gratitude for those which we have already received. On the other hand, as St. Bernard points out, ingratitude is like a scorching wind which dries up the dew of divine mercy. (Sermon 52 in Cant.) Let us be grateful to God, therefore, and do our best to share with others the gifts which we have received.
3. As soon as Mary entered her cousin’s house, Elizabeth was inspired by the Holy Spirit and felt the infant in her womb leaping with joy in the presence of Jesus and His Mother. “Blessed are thou among women,” she cried out, “and blessed is the fruit of thy womb! And how have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43) Then the Blessed Virgin in her joy and gratitude gave utterance to the Magnificat. This expression of her happiness was interwoven, however, with sentiments of deep humility.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; Because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid; for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because he who is mighty has done great things to me, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy – Even as he spoke to our fathers – to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)
If at that moment they could have heard the words of this poor and unknown girl, what would the mighty Emperor Caesar Augustus, or the petty king, Herod, have said? Yet history is there to demonstrate the astounding truth of these prophetic words. Generations of yesterday and of today have bowed in reverence before this simple maiden, while one after another rulers have been tumbling from their thrones. Let us honour the Blessed Virgin also and learn from her to love humility and holiness.
Mary’s Visit to St. Elizabeth
1. When the Angel told Mary that she had been chosen to be the Mother of God, he proceeded to reveal also the imminent birth of the Precursor of Jesus Christ. Her cousin, Elizabeth, he told her, who had been sterile for such a long time, would soon have the joy of bearing a son. When the Blessed Virgin heard this good news, she set out for a long and difficult journey to congratulate her cousin.
The devout soul is always motivated by charity and pays no attention to difficulties or obstacles because the grace of God possesses it completely. We also have received, and continue to receive, many graces from our Creator. We were nothing, and God gave us being. We were in darkness, and He gave us the light of faith. We were slaves of sin, and Jesus Christ broke the bonds in which the devil held us and gave us the freedom of the children of God. We were exiles on this earth and God became our companion and our guide. We hungered for the supernatural, and He nourished us with the divine Bread in which He gave Himself to us completely.
2. But are we as grateful to God as we ought to be! Do we correspond with His graces? Are we prepared to make any sacrifice in order to share with others the gift with which He has enriched us?
Let us remember that gratitude is a virtue which is very pleasing to God and draws down on us other graces and gifts.
In his panegyric on Trajan the younger Pliny observes that the best means of soliciting new favours is to show gratitude for those which we have already received. On the other hand, as St. Bernard points out, ingratitude is like a scorching wind which dries up the dew of divine mercy. (Sermon 52 in Cant.) Let us be grateful to God, therefore, and do our best to share with others the gifts which we have received.
3. As soon as Mary entered her cousin’s house, Elizabeth was inspired by the Holy Spirit and felt the infant in her womb leaping with joy in the presence of Jesus and His Mother. “Blessed are thou among women,” she cried out, “and blessed is the fruit of thy womb! And how have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43) Then the Blessed Virgin in her joy and gratitude gave utterance to the Magnificat. This expression of her happiness was interwoven, however, with sentiments of deep humility.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; Because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid; for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because he who is mighty has done great things to me, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy – Even as he spoke to our fathers – to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)
If at that moment they could have heard the words of this poor and unknown girl, what would the mighty Emperor Caesar Augustus, or the petty king, Herod, have said? Yet history is there to demonstrate the astounding truth of these prophetic words. Generations of yesterday and of today have bowed in reverence before this simple maiden, while one after another rulers have been tumbling from their thrones. Let us honour the Blessed Virgin also and learn from her to love humility and holiness.
The Annunciation - Cardinal Bacci
The First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary
The Annunciation
1. The Rosary is both a vocal and a mental prayer. When reciting the first five decades, we should meditate on the principal joyful mysteries of our faith, beginning with the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin. In other words, during the first decade we should visualise the scene described in the Gospel.
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the Virgin’s name was Mary. And when the Angel had come to her, he said ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.’” (Luke 1:26-28)
Note the manner in which the Angel greets Mary. He proclaims that she is full of grace, pleasing and acceptable to God. He bows before her and says that she is blessed among women. On previous occasions Angels had appeared to Patriarchs, Kings, and Prophets, but always as superior beings bearing a command from Almighty God. Why, then, does an Angel bow before this maiden and salute her with such reverence? The reason is twofold. Mary is the purest of creatures, immaculate from the moment of her conception; she is also destined to become the Mother of God, a destiny of quasi-infinite dignity. Let us poor sinners bow before her also and beg her to obtain for us from God the graces of forgiveness and of sanctification. It is in this spirit of loving humility that we should recite the first decade of the Holy Rosary.
2. Consider now Mary’s reaction to the reverence and praise with which the Angel greets her. Is she carried away by delight and exaltation at this solemn moment? Nothing of the sort. In her humility and modesty she is disturbed by the Angel’s salutation and wonders what is the reason for it. “She was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be.” (Luke 1:29)
How do we behave when we receive praise from our superiors or from our friends and acquaintances? We are pleased, and overcome perhaps by feelings of vanity. We smile to ourselves and are convinced that we are of more consequence than we are. We even feel the need to reveal our thoughts to others. There is a world of difference between the simplicity and humility of the Blessed Virgin and our vain hunger for praise and honour.
3. The Angel reassures Mary. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God…” (Luke 1:30) “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son… Jesus… the Son of the Most High… the Son of God.” (Cf. Luke 1:31-36)
The Virgin remains humble and thoughtful. She asks frankly how she can become the Mother of God when she has resolved to remain a virgin for the rest of her life. The Angel reveals to her the tremendous mystery by which the Holy Spirit will descend on her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her.
Only when Mary understood that this was the will of God, and that the privilege of the divine Motherhood would be compatible with the other privilege of virginal purity, did she utter the momentous words: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)
Let us bow our proud heads before the Virgin, the humblest and most exalted of creatures. (Dante, Paradiso, XXXIII, 2-3) Let us learn from her to love purity above all things and to be prepared to make any sacrifice rather than lose this beautiful virtue.
The Annunciation
1. The Rosary is both a vocal and a mental prayer. When reciting the first five decades, we should meditate on the principal joyful mysteries of our faith, beginning with the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin. In other words, during the first decade we should visualise the scene described in the Gospel.
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the Virgin’s name was Mary. And when the Angel had come to her, he said ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.’” (Luke 1:26-28)
Note the manner in which the Angel greets Mary. He proclaims that she is full of grace, pleasing and acceptable to God. He bows before her and says that she is blessed among women. On previous occasions Angels had appeared to Patriarchs, Kings, and Prophets, but always as superior beings bearing a command from Almighty God. Why, then, does an Angel bow before this maiden and salute her with such reverence? The reason is twofold. Mary is the purest of creatures, immaculate from the moment of her conception; she is also destined to become the Mother of God, a destiny of quasi-infinite dignity. Let us poor sinners bow before her also and beg her to obtain for us from God the graces of forgiveness and of sanctification. It is in this spirit of loving humility that we should recite the first decade of the Holy Rosary.
2. Consider now Mary’s reaction to the reverence and praise with which the Angel greets her. Is she carried away by delight and exaltation at this solemn moment? Nothing of the sort. In her humility and modesty she is disturbed by the Angel’s salutation and wonders what is the reason for it. “She was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be.” (Luke 1:29)
How do we behave when we receive praise from our superiors or from our friends and acquaintances? We are pleased, and overcome perhaps by feelings of vanity. We smile to ourselves and are convinced that we are of more consequence than we are. We even feel the need to reveal our thoughts to others. There is a world of difference between the simplicity and humility of the Blessed Virgin and our vain hunger for praise and honour.
3. The Angel reassures Mary. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God…” (Luke 1:30) “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son… Jesus… the Son of the Most High… the Son of God.” (Cf. Luke 1:31-36)
The Virgin remains humble and thoughtful. She asks frankly how she can become the Mother of God when she has resolved to remain a virgin for the rest of her life. The Angel reveals to her the tremendous mystery by which the Holy Spirit will descend on her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her.
Only when Mary understood that this was the will of God, and that the privilege of the divine Motherhood would be compatible with the other privilege of virginal purity, did she utter the momentous words: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)
Let us bow our proud heads before the Virgin, the humblest and most exalted of creatures. (Dante, Paradiso, XXXIII, 2-3) Let us learn from her to love purity above all things and to be prepared to make any sacrifice rather than lose this beautiful virtue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)