Archives
May 19, 2010
The Mysteries of Glory
The Resurrection
The Ascension of our Lord
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption of our Lady into Heaven
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
Our Lady will give us a deeper understanding of new life in Christ through the five Mysteries of Glory.
”On the first day of the week, they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.”
Luke 24:1
FOR a night and a day and another night, the body of Jesus Christ lay in the tomb, a great stone at the door sealing in the darkness. The pale limbs were washed and wrapped in linen; a white cloth covered His face, a winding sheet with aromatic spices encircles His body. Bloodless, lifeless, unpleasant to see or think about … Then, quick as thought, the frail gray body was alive again, and rose bright as a dozen suns!
Through Baptism, our souls radiate divine grace. Just as “Christ rose and appeared to many,” so should I appear to the world as a follower of Christ, radiating virtue.
II. THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
”I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.”
Matt. 3:11
JOHN the Baptist was not merely the prophet of Christ; his life was a preview of Christ’s. His birth was foretold by an angel: his father was troubled, his mother gave thanks. He lived a hidden life. His first words in public - “Do penance, the kingdom of God is at hand” - were Christ’s as well. He was hated by the Pharisees. Human respect led Herod to order John’s death, just as Pilate condemned Jesus for fear of the people. And John’s baptism, though a symbol of repentance, foreshadowed Christ’s sacrament which makes us temples of God and His children.
By Baptism, God lives in us; by a life of fidelity to grace, we shall live forever in God.
III. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
”Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
Matt. 8:26
THE Apostles were very brave as long as Jesus was a popular hero. “Let us go to Jerusalem and die with Him! Lord, we have been casting out devils! Master, shall we call down fire from heaven to destroy them? We can drink of thy chalice! I would die before disowning Thee!” But when the storm of hatred and revenge burst over Christ’s head, the Apostles, after one wild stroke of the sword in His defense, fled like frightened deer. But after Pentecost - they begin to be glad to suffer for Christ.
Spirit of God fill me with your gifts: wisdom, counsel, courage, knowledge, understanding, humility, and love of God.
IV. THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY INTO HEAVEN
”There were many women there, looking on from a distance - and the veil of the sanctuary was torn.”
Matt. 27:55, 51
SHE bore Him - body, soul, divinity - beneath her heart for nine months. For thirty-three years, He was her heart’s preoccupation. Mary learned that spirituality meant living and loving as her Son taught. Mary knew Jesus so well. How does a mother survive the death of her child? Only her faith in the God her Son had made known to her could help.
She is a sign to all of us who experience such a great loss. She spent the remainder of her life being the mother of Jesus’ Church.
Mary, help me to overcome my sorrow, rise above my pain and live for others.
V. THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
”Woman, this is your son.” Then to the disciple, “this is your mother.”
John 19:26-27
THE Church gives us Mary as a model of true discipleship. She is the one who said “yes” to God and therefore allowed her will to be God's will. This is such a difficult thing for us to do. As human beings we get so busy with our lives and our desires that we often can’t determine what it is God would have us do.
Mary is our mother. She waits for us to ask. Then she willingly joins us in our struggle to see God’s will. She will help us learn to say “yes” to God.
Mary, thank you for being my mother.