However yesterday it dawned on me that the common thread in these mysteries is not just the person of Jesus but the person of Jesus as the word of God. Each mystery is a different Gospel reading about someone receiving the Gospel, the good word of Jesus the word incarnate.
The first mystery is the annunciation, where the archangel Gabriel tells Mary God has chosen her to bring Jesus into the world. This is a call to disicplship and vocation that Mary alone is fit for by God's grace in her immaculate conception. Mary hears and freely chooses to accept this mission. She receives the word and responds to it, "Let it be done to me according to your word."
The second joyful mystery is the Visitation, in which John the Baptist, still in the womb, leaps for joy at hearing Mary speak. Mary contains in her the Word incarnate and because of her being totally free of sin she is able to spread that Gospel in a uniquely unadulterated way. John the Baptist evangelizes his mother in turn after Mary evangelized him. Elizabeth praises Mary and calls her blessed for believing what God said to her. Our Blessed Mother then returns that praise to God. She is a great model for us in discipleship: all praise, honor, and glory belong to God and realizing that is a moment of intense joy.
The third mystery is the Nativity. As I said, this one has always been tough for me. In some ways it stands out the most since it is Jesus' birth and in other ways it's so overly familiar that I forget to even think about it as I pray. Using this reflection on the Word, I was thinking that Christmas is the time the word comes into the world. And, just as an angel appeared to Mary at the Annunciation, in the Gospel of Luke chapter 2 the angel announces the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds:
Next is the Presentation of the Lord. Here, Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple where an old man named Simeon sees Him. Simeon was told that he would not die until he saw the Messiah and when he sees Jesus he exclaims, "Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word." Simeon says God has fulfilled His word because Jesus is God's Word! Seeing Jesus, his journey is complete. He had to wait until the appointed time, perhaps a longer wait than he wished for. But Simeon says nothing about that, he rejoices in finally seeing the Word made flesh in Christ.
And finally the finding in the temple. This was always my favorite mystery of the Rosary because it was a favorite bible passage. I'm fascinated by the young Jesus teaching and, in light of this reflection on the Word, I think the pattern fits that the last group to receive the Word is the learned. These wise rabbis are literally being school by a twelve year old and are completely astounded by His knowledge and teaching! They've studied the Mosaic law their entire lives and still a boy of 12 knows more than they do. That is because He is the Word of God, Jesus is the law! And what's truly beautiful, is in a young moment of humility, Jesus shows the rabbis He is subject to God's law by going back under the rule of Joseph and Mary. He does so to show a complete consistency in God's law, that even though He is God He subjects Himself to the guardianship of His Blessed Mother and foster Father.
There's probably a more eleqouant or deeper thought to be said about all this but since I'm posting it a day late let's just leave that for tomorrow!
Good night and God Bless,
~OCG
The third mystery is the Nativity. As I said, this one has always been tough for me. In some ways it stands out the most since it is Jesus' birth and in other ways it's so overly familiar that I forget to even think about it as I pray. Using this reflection on the Word, I was thinking that Christmas is the time the word comes into the world. And, just as an angel appeared to Mary at the Annunciation, in the Gospel of Luke chapter 2 the angel announces the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds:
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”This is great news that will bring joy for all people! Even the angels in heaven rejoice and sing God's praises at proclamation of the Word! Why is such important news not first told to the leaders of the world? Or the teachers and Rabbis? Or the scribes? Even the Magi who visit Jesus in Mt2 follow a star but certainly don't mention choirs of angels singing. So why Shepherds who were most likely illiterate and unknowledgable about the world and definitely smelled like sheep? Because they are the most likely to listen! They are leaders to their flocks as Christ is leader to us. They heard the word of God and were humble enough to receive it. Someone like Herod, the King, we see finds out about Jesus and takes His birth as a threat. Oppositely, Jesus does take over the Shepherds' role and they accept that fully. He is the Good Shepherd who is a cause of great joy to all people. The Shepherds are willing to listen and therefore hear the Word.
Next is the Presentation of the Lord. Here, Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple where an old man named Simeon sees Him. Simeon was told that he would not die until he saw the Messiah and when he sees Jesus he exclaims, "Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word." Simeon says God has fulfilled His word because Jesus is God's Word! Seeing Jesus, his journey is complete. He had to wait until the appointed time, perhaps a longer wait than he wished for. But Simeon says nothing about that, he rejoices in finally seeing the Word made flesh in Christ.
And finally the finding in the temple. This was always my favorite mystery of the Rosary because it was a favorite bible passage. I'm fascinated by the young Jesus teaching and, in light of this reflection on the Word, I think the pattern fits that the last group to receive the Word is the learned. These wise rabbis are literally being school by a twelve year old and are completely astounded by His knowledge and teaching! They've studied the Mosaic law their entire lives and still a boy of 12 knows more than they do. That is because He is the Word of God, Jesus is the law! And what's truly beautiful, is in a young moment of humility, Jesus shows the rabbis He is subject to God's law by going back under the rule of Joseph and Mary. He does so to show a complete consistency in God's law, that even though He is God He subjects Himself to the guardianship of His Blessed Mother and foster Father.
There's probably a more eleqouant or deeper thought to be said about all this but since I'm posting it a day late let's just leave that for tomorrow!
Good night and God Bless,
~OCG
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