Archives
May 26, 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
PURGATORY
Our Lady will give us a deeper understanding of purgatory through the five Mysteries of Glory.
”When it says, ‘he ascended,’ what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended.”
Eph. 4:9-10
THERE were many holy people before the time of Christ, but no saints. That is, the Church had not named them as saints. Between His death and resurrection, Jesus visited these souls. “The Apostles’ Creed confesses in the same article Christ’s descent into hell and his Resurrection from the dead on the third day, because in His Passover it was precisely out of the depth of death that he made life spring forth.” (Catechism No. 631) There, in the dwelling of the dead, Jesus preached the dawning of eternal life.
Jesus, help us to understand and accept your great give of love.
II. THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
”They have taken the Lord from the tomb and we don’t know where they put him.”
John 20:2
ONE of the mysteries of Calvary was the twin presence of the Beatific Vision and the most terrible suffering. Christ on the cross, drinking from the fountains of life while dying in terrible thirst; lost in bliss at the sight of His Father, yet crying out, “My God, why has Thou forsaken me?”; bathed in the light of God, yet preyed upon by the powers of darkness. This great mystery of the Cross is the mystery of purgatory. What is this place? Is it a place of suffering? We believe that God is completely just and merciful. Since the Council of Trent, the Church has taught that in this place we are detained after death and helped by all the prayers of the faithful.
Mary, be with us at the hour of our death.
III. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
”And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:4
JESUS did not choose for His Apostles men of iron wills. He chose (as God always does choose) “the weak things of the earth.” He chose Peter, who “savored not the things of God,” and denied His master thrice. He chose James and John, who wanted the first two places in heaven. He chose Philip who after three years did not recognize the Heavenly Father in Jesus. He chose Judas, who sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. Weak, untrustworthy, timorous, sinful men, the Apostles - until Pentecost. Then, divine fire came down upon them, and they went forth “rejoicing to suffer for the name of Jesus.”
Jesus, I am also weak, but I want to serve you. Make me strong.
IV. THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY INTO HEAVEN
”The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.”
Catechism No. 966
THE mother of God died of love. God had poured so much love for Himself into her soul that at last she could not contain it without having Him as well. So she died. We do not know if she felt the weakness of old age, or disease, or physical suffering. Losing her son was a pain of love. When her soul had reached its incomparable perfection, God took her up to heaven, as one might pick a lovely flower in full-bloom. Mary’s love for God and God’s love for Mary brought her, pure body and soul, to be with God forever.
Love causes the deepest pain. What was true for Mary is true for the souls in purgatory. It is their growing love for God that brings them joy and pain.
V. THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
”She is clearly the mother of the members of Christ … since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church.”
Catechism No. 963
MARY had been given many wonderful privileges: for example, her Immaculate Conception and her initial fullness of grace. The seven stars about her head are her Seven Sorrows, their splendor outshone only by her Son’s glorious wounds. Her role in relation to the Church and to all humanity goes further than privilege. “In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.” (Lumen Gentium, 53, 63)
Mary, teach me faith, hope and burning charity.