Archives
May 23, 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
THE SACRAMENTS
Our Lady will give us a deeper understanding of the sacraments through the five Mysteries of Glory.
”The Anointing of the Sick completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life; that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation.”
Catechism No. 1523
FROM the time when Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of the Jews, the leaders of the Israelites were God’s “anointed ones.” They waited for their anointed one, their Messiah. And Jesus Christ, when He came, was anointed king indeed - anointed with the Holy Spirit that every knee in heaven and earth should bend before the name Jesus. Jesus was also anointed by a woman as He reclined at table with Simon the leper. She poured out a vial of costly oil upon His head.
The anointing of the sick has wonderful effects upon those who celebrate this sacrament. It unites us in our sickness and pain with words of comfort and the grace of peace of mind.
II. THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
”He took a towel and tied it around his waist … and began to wash their feet.”
John 13:4-5
JUST before His Ascension, our Lord said to His Apostles, “You are to be my witnesses.” As the Church, we continue to bring the Reign of God into being. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the ordained preside at the Eucharist and preach God’s word. They are given the task, along with the people of God, of introducing Jesus to the world. The pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons are the servants of the Church. It is through their example we are to learn to wash each other’s feet.
Mary, help your sons to be more like Jesus in all they do. Teach us to support each other in our vocations in life.
III. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
”I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
John 13:15
IN Old Testament times, the chief office of the Jewish priest was to offer sacrifice to God - rams, fatlings, the scapegoat, first fruits of the harvest, the Paschal lamb. It was a ritual act for the people of Israel, it symbolized God making the covenant real once again.
We have always known we are entirely dependent on God - rituals renew our belief that God chooses to be in a covenant relationship with us. We have always asked the head of our community to preside at these rituals.
Jesus is our perfect sacrament, our perfect sacrifice. God, never let us doubt your perfect love.
IV. THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY INTO HEAVEN
”The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator.”
Catechism 1603
IN the story of Eden, Adam had God above him to love and all creation below him to rule and delight in. But he had no one, at first, to share his happiness. “Not good,” said God; and out of Adam came Eve to be his bride, and the mother of our race. Thousands of years after, in a setting by no means paradisial, God was born of a woman - in a Bethlehem cave; Jesus was born of Mary. And Jesus, Mary, and Joseph became a Holy Family.
On Calvary, this Mother of Jesus became the Mother of the Church. The Church and Jesus have a relationship that is eternal.
The Sacrament of Matrimony reflects the sacred union of Christ and the Church. Jesus, Mary and the Church are eager to support those who live the sacrament of matrimony. Surely, we need their help.
V. THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
”By reason of their state in life … they help one another to attain holiness in their married life.”
Catechism No. 1641
WITH omnipotent ease, simply by willing what He had thought upon, God created all things out of nothingness. Compared with Him, the star-laden universe is no more spectacular than a kicked-up cloud of dust. But on one of those specks of dust, the Earth, He has fastened His loving attention. It is the home of His favorite children: us. So much does God love the human race that He himself became a man that we might have eternal life. And though we can do absolutely nothing by ourselves, God has given us a mighty power with everlasting consequences. We have the power to become God’s children.
Those who enter the vocation of marriage are called upon to help one another and their families become God’s children. Mary, mother of us all, we ask for your guidance.