Reflections on the Glorious Mysteries

The Five Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Jesus. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee now came to the tomb at early dawn. Two men in dazzling clothes said to the women: “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (Lk 24:5). When the women heard this and returned from the tomb, they spread the good news to the Eleven and to all the rest. Twenty centuries later, we now rejoice to hear the same wonderful news!

O Risen Jesus, fill us with the joy and hope that the women experienced and then shared with the Eleven and with the early Christian community.

2. The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. “Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven” (Lk 24:51). “Suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven’” (Acts 1:10-11).

The message for each of us looking upward is to turn our gaze downward. We are prompted, then, to ask the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus has promised to send, to show each of us our mission here on earth!

3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit. “When the time of Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and and came to rest on each one of them” (Acts 2:1-3).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” Lk 4:18).

Where do you and I find “the poor,” “the captives,” “the blind,” and “the oppressed” in our day? Is this not the mission to which you and I are called?

4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven. “When the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things. . . .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 of the Catholic Church, 966).

How do we respond to this incredible honor bestowed upon Mary, the Mother of Jesus? One simple way is by imitating the humility of Mary, who said, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your will!” One thing seems certain: those who—like Mary—humble themselves before God, will also one day be exalted in God’s glorious presence!

5. Mary Is Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. The Coronation of Mary is intended to highlight the bodily aspect of the Assumption and to record the final moment of Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven. The prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled, in which he said to the Lord: “At your right hand stands the queen in the gold from Ophir” (Ps 45:9). In addition, as the Song of Songs (4:8) reads: “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the Sun, with the moon at her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

How are we to respond to this glorious presentation of Mary’s being crowned Queen of Heaven? We can simply praise her for this great honor she has received—and ask her blessing and protection!

Next Month: The Luminous Mysteries

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