(This post does not contain affiliate links.)
Pondering the wonderful.
What could be more glorious than celebrating the culmination of Christ’s saving work on earth? And Mary’s ultimate reward for her trust, obedience, and pivotal role in God’s plan?
As Catholics, contemplating and meditating on the Mysteries of our faith is one of our most spiritually enriching experiences.
I’ve come to learn this only recently. Looking back, I’m grateful to those who tried to help me recognize the power of the Holy Rosary. Even though the seed took so long to sprout.
That it finally did is another reason why I hope you’ll never give up on the flock you are shepherding as an everyday disciple. And never give up on yourself as you go on your faith journey.
In upcoming posts, I’ll ponder on the origin and power of the Holy Rosary as a weapon for spiritual warfare.
For now, let’s reflect on each one of the Mysteries it recalls, starting with the Glorious: Resurrection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption, and Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”
Proverbs 25:2
It is good, we are called to “search things out,” to ponder things in our hearts, and let our minds and souls be transformed by the experience.
We are not trying to uncover every hidden truth. We want to exercise our sense of wonder. When we sow the seeds of the Mysteries in our hearts, what’s veiled can reveal much.
The Resurrection
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”
Luke 24:5
The Mystery of the Resurrection invites us to meditate on the state of our spiritual life and ask for a stronger faith.
We were not there to witness the moment. Even those who were there found it hard to believe. The Resurrection was the fulfillment of a promise: the Temple would not be destroyed.
There are so many powerful and beautiful images that come to us from those first encounters with the risen Christ:
Mary Magdalene asked for the body of her Lord, her tears of joy at the realization that He was there, calling her by name. The two disciples running to the tomb, finding it empty, questioning everything they had ever heard Jesus say, full of fear and wonder.
I also think of Saul, and His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The experience and conversion that completely changed his life.
It was precisely St. Paul who traveled and wrote extensively to guide the emerging Church. Addressing dissenting voices, he later said to the Corinthians, “But if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain.”
This Mystery reminds us that our faith is not in vain.
The Ascension
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”
Mark 16:19
The Mystery of the Ascension invites us to meditate on the state of our hope and ask for the virtue of hope to grow in our hearts.
The risen Christ ascended into heaven, body, soul, and divinity.
(Peter, James, and John had had a glimpse of this marvelous event when they witnessed the Transfiguration.)
With the Ascension, the apostles experienced a whole new dimension of the ultimate reality.
They got to briefly see the splendor of the Kingdom and the King of Kings in the fullness of His glory.
It must have been wonderful and shocking. But surprisingly, that was not enough to shake them from their paralyzing fear.
That would not come about through physical signs and wonders, but through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”
John 14:26
The Mystery of the descent of the Holy Spirit invites us to remember our baptismal promises and ask for the graces that come to us through the Holy Spirit, including Wisdom.
We can picture ourselves in a dark room, hiding with the other disciples. They were gripped by fear, full of doubt. Everything that Jesus had taught them seemed to have vanished.
Jesus knew this would happen. He knew the disciples would still need guidance, support, and love. If they were to spread the message and face their adversaries, they needed bold confidence.
The Holy Spirit filled their hearts with courage. Their minds were empowered with the Word. They felt the presence of their Lord deeply and were jolted into action. The time of the apostles was now.
As we contemplate the moment when the Holy Spirit came over them, we can call upon the Holy Spirit and open ourselves to receive His graces daily, and in times of spiritual desolation.
The Assumption
“Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, loud noises, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
Revelation 11:19
The Mystery of the Assumption invites us to ponder the final moments of Mary’s earthly life, ask for the grace of a holy death, the gift of His presence, and the hope of the final resurrection.
The Assumption was one Mystery I found hardest to wrap my head around. I did not know what made it possible for Mary to be taken or assumed into Heaven, body and soul.
Only recently did I understand the Assumption was possible due to Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
Being born without the stain of original sin, she was made with the same graces as the original creation before the fall, Adam and Eve.
The Assumption of Mary is the ultimate reward for her self-sacrifice. Her yes was the catalyst for the Incarnation and God’s plan of salvation.
A lowly handmaiden was singled out by God since the moment of her conception for the holiest of purposes, being the Mother of Christ, the source of His humanity.
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
Revelation 12:1
The Mystery of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary invites us to ask for a greater love for Mary and to pray for her intercession as Queen Mother.
Once I understood the significance of the Davidic Kingdom as a foreshadowing of the Kingdom of Heaven, the key role of Mary as Queen Mother was brought to greater relief.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is crowned as Queen because she is the Mother of the King, Jesus Christ. As Queen of Heaven, she is invested with the same power of mediation and intercession as the Queen Mother had in the Kingdom of David.
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary shows the great respect given to Mary by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
She is the faithful and obedient daughter, the loving and steadfast mother, and the willing spouse, bearer of divine life.
I hope you feel inspired to reflect on the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, to meditate on the virtues they evoke, and contemplate the wonderful and marvelous gifts from God with an open heart.
If you like to ponder these subjects, join us as we tend and grow these humble mustard seeds. We hope you’ll be inspired to sow your own. Come back weekly, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Leave a Reply