He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21: 3-5)
The last set of mysteries of the Holy Rosary deals not only with the past events but it is also about the realities we are facing today and the eschatological truth that we are longing. The mysteries give us hope for our time and at the same time giving us a glimpse of the glory that we will receive later. This set of mysteries shows us the glory of Christ given to him by the Father after his kenosis or self-emptying and oblation to the Father. God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name above other names. (Philippians 2:9)
The first glorious mystery is the Resurrection of the Lord (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-2, John 20:1-10). It was dawn on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and some women with her went to the tomb to anoint his body since Jesus died on Friday afternoon and they cannot do it on Sabbath. But they were surprised that the large, heavy stone sealing the entrance to his tomb has been rolled away, the guards left and his body was nowhere to be found. They met angels who announced that he has been risen. However, they cannot fully understand this. Even those who heard the report wondered and even doubted. It takes the appearance of the risen Christ for them to believe and have faith in him.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith (1 Corinthians 15: 14) If the resurrection of Jesus will be proven false, Christianity will fall into ruins. The resurrection of Jesus gives guarantee to what we believe in and puts hope in strife and struggles in life. I can say that this event has transformed the pagan world into a journeying community towards the fulfillment of God's kingdom on earth.
Let us ask Jesus to bless the catechumens and those preparing themselves to be baptized. May they be able to find Christ as the fountain of life and joy. May there be more conversion and reception of this sacrament by which all are given new life for God in Christ. Let us ask Mary for the gift of faith that we may always see the world in the perspective of Christ.
The second glorious mystery is the Ascension of our Lord (Mark 16:19-21, Luke 50-53, Acts 1:3-11). Within forty days after his resurrection, Jesus continually appears to his disciples, showing them proofs that he is alive. When the time came, Jesus took them to a high mountain and commanded them to preach the gospel to the whole world and for them to do this, he promised them the coming of the Holy Spirit that will guide them in the work that they will be doing. After saying these things, he ascended into heaven and there he is seated at the right hand of the Father. Two men dressed in white said to the disciples that Jesus will come again in the same way that they had seen him ascended into heaven.
The ascension of Jesus is the reward of the Father to his Son for his fidelity while on earth. He obtained his glory that he actually had from the very beginning. There Jesus reigns while his kingdom is being propagated on earth. From the Apostolic age until now, the mission of evangelization continues and the gift of faith has been multiplied to many parts of the world.
Let us pray for those people in mass media and social communications that they may heed Jesus' commission to evangelize the world. May they use the modern technology and mass media to reach out more people to hear the message of Christ. May they never pollute the minds of the masses especially the young. Let us ask Mary to obtain for us the gift of hope that in our plight and sufferings, we may always look forward to our glory.
The third glorious mystery is the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-11). Within nine days after the ascension of Christ, the apostles together with the women disciples, Jesus' relatives and Mary, the mother of Jesus, pray in the upper room in Jerusalem. It was Penetecost, that is the fiftieth day after the Passover when on the room where they stay, a sound of a strong wind was heard and tongues of fire appeared and rested on their heads. They speak in foreign tongues according to the inspiration of the Spirit. Many wondered about what was happening to them but Peter began preaching the Gospel and his discourse converted about 3,000 people and were baptized in the name of Jesus.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as he promised. That day was considered the birthday of the Church since it was the time when the apostles did not continue hiding and they proclaimed the Gospel beginning in Jerusalem until they went to the Gentiles. Until now, the Holy Spirit continues to perform wonders to the Church. thus, we can say that our generation is but a perpetual Pentecost since the Holy Spirit continues to descend upon us.
Let us ask Jesus to bless the lay leaders of the Church that they may be invigorated and strengthened as they help the clergy and the religious in building the Church. Let us also ask Mary for the gift of charity that our hearts may always be set ablaze on fire with Divine Love for Him and to our brothers and sisters.
The fourth glorious mystery is the Assumption of Mary. This mystery is not explicitly stated in the Scripture but is found in the Sacred Tradition of the Church. It is proclaimed as truth by the Magisterium of the Church. It is stated that Mary, after his earthly life was taken up to heaven. The Assumption of Mary is likened to the Old Testament heroes like Enoch, who was taken by God; Moses, whose tomb cannot be found and Elijah who was taken to heaven in the chariot of fire. It is the reward of Mary's close union with Jesus in the history of salvation and her perpetual obedience to the will of God.
Mary's assumption is also our assumption because one day, if we also unite ourselves to Christ in his redemption and if we remain obedient to God's will in our lives, we will also be taken up into heaven. Mary is just the first to obtain God's promise of salvation from Christ. Mary remains as our inspiration as we look forward to obtain God's promise.
Let us pray to Jesus for all the migrants in foreign land that the Lord may be their strength as they live and work far from their loved ones. May God bless them in their journeys and keep them safe. May Mary obtain for us the grace of the desire for heaven as our ultimate goal and final glory.
The last glorious mystery and of the whole rosary is the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. Mary was crowned by God as queen since Jesus is King of the universe. Mary reigns beside her Son. She is the crowning glory of human race since because of her, redemption was brought forth for man. In glory, she begs for us there as we journey towards our heavenly Home.
Let us ask Jesus for the peace to reign in our country and of the whole world. Like Mary, may everyone have childlike hearts for them to gain intimacy with God and find joy in simple and ordinary events of their lives. May they live as brothers and sisters of the same Father. Because true peace can be obtained through these. Let us ask Mary for the grace of closer relationship to her as our Mother with Christ, our brother; her as our Sister in being one with her in faith and her as our Queen with Christ as our King as we await the total fulfillment of his kingdom.
May the rosary be truly a part of our Christian life. May in the mysteries we found learning and this devotion make us be absorbed in the life of Christ which he dedicated for our salvation. The rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is truly a treasure chest of Christianity. An indispensable devotion to Christ in the hands of Mary, his Mother and Cooperator in his act of redemption.
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