Marian Devotions

The Luminous Mysteries

Page 14 in "Marian Devotions in the Domestic Church"

Catherine Fournier and Peter Fournier

In Rosarium Virginis Mariae (dated October 16, 2002, the beginning of the twenty-fifth year of his Pontificate), John Paul II suggested that five new mysteries may be added to the Most Holy Rosary in order to examine more fully and delve the heart of God's love as lived through the life of Christ. The tremendous importance of this document will likely not be recognized till centuries have passed. 

The Mysteries of Light according to Pope John Paul II

“Moving on from the infancy and the hidden life in Nazareth to the public life of Jesus, our contemplation brings us to those mysteries which may be called in a special way "mysteries of light". Certainly the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the "light of the world" (Jn 8:12). Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of His public life, when He proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom. In proposing to the Christian community five significant moments—"luminous" mysteries—during this phase of Christ's life, I think that the following can be fittingly singled out: (1) His Baptism in the Jordan, (2) His self manifestation at the wedding of Cana, (3) His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion, (4) His Transfiguration, and finally, (5) His institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery.” 

“Each of these mysteries is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus.” 

The First Luminous Mystery: Christ's Baptism in the Jordan

First_Luminous_Mystery

Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22 

John called the Jewish people to repent and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. He baptized many people in the River Jordan. 

John knew that Jesus was the Son of God and our Lord. When Jesus came to be baptized, John said, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus answered, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then the Spirit of God came down on Him, and a voice from heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." What a great light has come to us! With His baptism, Jesus' divine nature is revealed, and His mission on earth began. 

Let this mystery teach us to honor the promiSes of our baptism. 

The Second Luminous Mystery The Miracle at Cana

Second_Luminous_Mystery

John 2:1-12 

Jesus, His disciples, and Mary were invited to a wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee. Everyone was happy, eating and drinking. When the servers ran out of wine, Mary told Jesus, "They have no wine." Jesus asked her, "What does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." (Jesus was talking about His Passion.)

But it was time to show His glory and power as the promised Messiah, so Jesus had six water jugs filled with water. When people drank it, they tasted delicious wine. This was the first of His signs and miracles, and when His disciples saw it they believed in Him. What a great light is given to us! 

Let this mystery teach us to believe in Jesus, who brings the light of faith and eternallife. 

The Third Luminous Mystery: Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom

Third_Luminous_Mystery

Mark 1:15, Mark 2:1-13, Luke 7:47-48 

Jesus was in Capernaum, preaching and healing the sick. Four men there knew that Jesus could heal their sick friend, if only they could get the man close to Him in the house where He was staying. So they made a hole in the roof and lowered their friend into the house. When Jesus saw what they had done, He marveled at their faith and said to the invalid: "My son, your sins are forgiven!" 

The bystanders said, "How can you forgive sins? Only God can do that!"  

To prove that He had the authority to forgive sins (because He was the Son of God), Jesus then said to the invalid: "Get up! You are healed." The man was instantly healed, and he got up. What a great light shines on us! Jesus heals us all with His love and forgiveness. 

Let this mystery teach us to rejoice in God's mercy and forgiveness. 

The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration

Fourth_Luminous_MysteryGlorious_Mystery

Luke 9:28-36 

Jesus taught His disciples and the people about the Kingdom of God. He explained that He was going to suffer for our sake and then be raised from the dead. Jesus also prayed every day. One day, He took His disciples Peter, John, and James up a mountain. Suddenly they saw Je'sus' face shining like the sun. They saw Him talking to Moses, who had brought the Old Law to the Israelites, and to Elijah, the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. The disciples were surprised—and afraid. 

Then a loud voice from heaven said, "This is My son; listen to him." Jesus is our new teacher. His teaching replaces the teachings of Moses and Elijah. What a great light is given to us! Jesus, filled with the light of heaven, came to teach us how to enter the Kingdom of God. 

Let this mystery teach us that Jesus is the light of the world. 

The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The First Eucharist

Fifth_Luminous_Mystery

Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22: 15-20, 1 Corinthians 11 :23-26 

It was time for the Passover feast. Jesus knew that His hour had finally come. So He took bread and blessed it. He gave it to His disciples and said: "Take it and eat; this is My body." Then Jesus took wine and blessed it. He gave it to His disciples and said, "Take this and drink, for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Jesus gave this meal of His Body and Blood to His disciples as the first Eucharist. With the Eucharist, we all share Jesus' Body and Blood and receive forgiveness for our sins. What a great light shines in the world! Jesus gives us a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. 

Let this mystery teach us be thankful for the Eucharist. 

MarianDevotionsImage

Christmas Store

Lent and Easter Store

Valid CSS!

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional