Five New Mysteries, The
According to current practice, Monday and Thursday are dedicated to the joyful mysteries, Tuesday and Friday to the sorrowful, and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday to the glorious.
The Pope suggests that the luminous mysteries be prayed on Thursday. He then proposes that the joyful mysteries be prayed on Monday and Saturday, the sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, and the glorious on Wednesday and Sunday.
"Where might the 'mysteries of light' by inserted?" the Pope writes. "If we consider that the 'glorious mysteries' are said on both Saturday and Sunday, and that Saturday has always had a special Marian flavor, the second weekly meditation on the 'joyful mysteries,' mysteries in which Mary's presence is especially pronounced, could be moved to Saturday. Thursday would then be free for meditating on the 'mysteries of light.'"
Here we present the Pope's words along with scriptural reflections on the new mysteries by Marijane Camilleri, an American writer studying in Rome.
I Luminous Mystery
The Baptism In The Jordan
Scriptural Reflections: John 1:1-34; Genesis 1:1-8; Isaiah 58:1
"The Baptism in the Jordan is first of all a mystery of light. Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became 'sin' for our sake (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son (cf. Matthew 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out." — Pope John Paul II
"Make straight the way!" "Behold the Lamb of God!"
The Word who was with God, and who was God, descended into Flesh, the flesh of a body, of the womb of a virgin-mother, of a family, a livelihood, a community, a people, a nation — into the flesh of history . . . and now, again, into the dark waters of the Jordan, the coil of human sin, of human un-love.
Water flows down upon his lowered head, upon his shoulders and arms, crossed in the newness of birth, in the deference of love. So human. So manly. So incomprehensibly small. And he is all Light. All purity, all humility — what humility! We had not ever encountered such a gesture. We had not known him. We do not now know him.
It is the second day — the day after the darkness — the day of the Light. The Father's Word, the good light of the human race, bowed in the bowels of the Jordan. And the darkness has not overcome him. And still has not diminished the Light.
Cry out, dear John, full-throated and unsparingly! Dear herald. Dear sparrow. Cry out, oh prophet and friend of the Light! See how the waters now gleam, grace translucent! What greater prophet than thee who has seen the dove, too, descend, and the very voice of the Father descend, to adore the adoring Light!
Jesus, we are not fit to loosen your sandal strap. Wash us with the waters of Baptism. Untie the thongs of the yoke that binds us. Fill the abyss of our souls with your conquering light, and set us on a hill in the crossbeams of your love, where the Jordan runs clean.
Holy Mother of the Light, pray for us! — Marijane Camilleri
II Luminous Mystery
The Wedding At Cana
Scriptural Reflections: John 2:1-12; Genesis 1:9-13
This was the first of the signs Jesus gave of his identity, given at Cana (see John 2:1-12), when he changed water into wine and opened the hearts of the disciples to faith "thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers," as the apostolic letter adds.
"Do whatever he tells you."
It was the third day, the day the water was gathered and the earth was made fruitful by it. On the third day there was also a wedding. The mother of Jesus was there, and she saw that they had water, but no wine. So she turned at once to her only son, the son of her womb, of her bosom, of her blessed virginity, of her fiat — the son of the divine Light. He was never really hers — the Word of the Father spoken to her for the life of the world.
She understood their need. And she understood his goodness. So she turned to him at once to plead their case and to let it be done according to his word.
His Hour had not yet come, but the hour of prophecy was upon the entire wedding feast. Behold the Bridegroom and begin now to believe in him! Behold the Woman, too — Behold thy Mother!
At his command, the Jordan was gathered into six stone jars — washing jars — and at his command, the water became choicest wine — water co-mingled and transformed — flowing from the gaping vessels, watering the good earth of faithful souls, and making them to bear every good fruit.
Jesus, we thirst. Refresh and quench us. Moisten the parched earth of our souls. We are unworthy and empty vessels, longing for your seed. Fill us to overflowing, and let others come sip of your good wine in us. May our delight be to be your servants — to do whatever you ask — and so to become your mother, your sister, your brother — and to rejoice with you at the eternal banquet yet to come!
Holy Mother of the Light, pray for us! — Marijane Camilleri
III Luminous Mystery
The Proclamation Of The Kingdom Of God
Scriptural Reflections: John 4:4-42; 7:37-38; 12:1-8; 20:11-23; Luke 7:36-50; Genesis 1:14-19
"Another mystery of light is the preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mark 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47-48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his Church (cf. John 20:22-23)." — Pope John Paul II
"The hour is coming, and is now here."
"Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me . . . 'Rivers of living water will flow from within him.'"
A woman with a water jar came to the well at the hour of the sun's intensity — set as a great luminary over the day, to govern it and to draw out the thirst from the depths of the earth. Jesus was sitting at the well, after having journeyed.
He spoke to her, and his words were light and truth and healing, so that she came to believe that he was the one called the Anointed. Leaving her jar, she hurried into the town and convinced many others. Much had been forgiven her. So when she heard where he was, she hurried toward that place, clasping an alabaster jar. Because of what sort of woman she had been, and what great debt had been cancelled, she ran to him. And approaching him, amidst the scorn of those who had been forgiven little, she anointed his head with the expensive ointment, and fell at his feet too, then bathed them with streams of living water and caressed them with her hair. And the aroma filled the house. She had kept the jar for the day of his burial. Now weeping, she remained outside the tomb, not knowing where he lay.
"Mary!" . . . "Rabboni!" Behold the Kingdom of God himself, come so close to her! She, who had been the torment of seven demons — the one whom all generations will call the Sinner. She, whom he had contemplated and borne long before she had ever beheld him and he had set her free. She, to whom it is given now to behold him, the Kingdom of God, and to be established in his service as a first witness. "Go to my brothers and tell them" . . . She went in haste to proclaim the Kingdom to the disciples. He breathed on them the power and the peace of forgiveness, and he sent them forth to forgive and to retain in his name, by the power of his Holy Spirit.
Jesus, who are you who even forgives sins? Do we dare stand, exposed, yet still incredulous before you? Sweep over our hearts, oh Lord, with your mighty Spirit, that converted, and henceforth loving much, your Kingdom may erupt in us and shed its light upon all the earth!
Holy Mother of the Light, pray for us! — Marijane Camilleri
IV Luminous Mystery
The Transfiguration
Scriptural Reflections: Luke 9:35; Mark 9:2-8; Matthew 17:1-8
"The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to 'listen to him' (cf. Luke 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit." — Pope John Paul II
"While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white."
"This is my chosen Son; listen to him." Vanquishing sleep vanquished by the dazzling light — Peter, James and John awoke to behold the Lord and the revelation of his glory. Moses and Elijah were there with him, speaking of the Exodus he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Fully awakened now, as from a first death — full gaze opened upon a first light — they could see his face more as it really was — and that he was clothed with his own dazzling purity — a white not of this world. An awesome white. A terrifying purity.
In the white was talk of a new and imminent Exodus.
Peter retreated into talk of tents, of old habits and manageable piety — manageable joy. Isn't this good, Master? Three tents, Rabbi! Peter, James, John . . .
Behold! My Beloved, my chosen Son! Listen to him! And they entered the cloud and the voice until it had said what it had said — and after that, silence, and Jesus alone.
Jesus, you are alone in your purity. How can we know the Exodus you suffer, so that we may offer our full measure of gratitude, if we cannot first grasp the measure of your purity, which we so fear, and fearing, despise? There are wounds only your purity knows. We beg you for a clean heart, for the gift of your incomprehensible purity, that our faces may radiate the light of your soul and so become the revelation of your glory!
Holy Mother of the Light, pray for us! — Marijane Camilleri
V Luminous Mystery
The Institution Of The Eucharist
Scriptural Reflections: John 13:1-20; Luke 9:12-17; 22:14-20; Mark 6:34-44; 14:22-26; Matthew 14:15-21; 26:26-30; Song of Songs 5:1-3; 8:6-7; Psalm 16
"A final mystery of light is the institution of the Eucharist, in which Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies 'to the end' his love for humanity (John 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice." — Pope John Paul II
"He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end." Knowing full well from whence he had come and where he was going, his power and his dominion, the I AM of the Father's bosom, while at supper with them, rose, removed his outer garments, put a towel round his girth, and began to wash the Apostles' feet, and to dry them, they too should come into his fair inheritance.
Master! We cannot endure this inversion — this scandal. Do not wash my feet! Or else, wash me as one who is all filth and feral — wash me as in the Jordan — then I shall inherit with you! Do not wash the feet of one you say is already clean! Peter — "I have taken off my robe, am I then to put it on?" Am I not to finish to the end what I have begun in you, what deep waters cannot quench? Peter . . . Simon . . . Son of John — you too shall thirst, that you shall inherit.
They were in a deserted place — a place men turn from at the end of the day, as darkness drapes the heart already void of Light, and pierces courage, barely, but decisively. They were in the axis of love. "This is a deserted place and it is already late." Let the crowd depart into the marketplace and purchase their own food.
"Bring them here to me."
How eagerly he desired to eat this passover with them.
"Eat, friends; drink! Drink freely of love!"
And raising the cup of wine he gave thanks and shared it. Then he took the bread, broken and blessed for them, and distributed it, that all should be satisfied. Bread and wine, the axis of Love — Love stern as death, relentless as fire, the fire of Light which has overcome the darkness!
Lord! You, my allotted portion! My cup! Fair indeed, my inheritance!
And singing, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus, you set a table — you take your place there with us, and spread before us love's noblest secrets. Cleansed in the waters of the Jordan, now draw us close to perfect love, and let us sing joyfully, children of the Light, full-throated and unsparingly, of our mighty inheritance!
Holy Mother of the Light, pray for us! — Marijane Camilleri
© 2002 Robert Moynihan
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