The Glorious Mysteries - Meditations by St. Josemaría Escrivá
The Resurrection
When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that they might go and anoint the dead body of Jesus. And very early in the morning, the next day after the sabbath, they come to the sepulcher, the sun being now risen. And at the entrance they discover with amazement that the body of our Lord is not there. A young man in white says to them: “Be not affrighted. I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth: Non est hic, surrexit enim sicut dixit (He is not here, for he is risen, as he said).” (Mt 28:5)
He is risen! Jesus is risen! He is no longer in the tomb. Life has triumphed over death.
He appeared to His Most Holy Mother. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was carried away by love for Christ. He appeared to Peter and the rest of the Apostles. And also to you and me, who are His disciples and more foolish than Mary Magdalene-what things we have said to Him!
May we never die through sin; may our spiritual resurrection endure forever. But before the decade of the rosary ends, you will kiss His wounded feet... and I, more daring, because I am more of a child, will touch with my lips the open wound in His side.
The Ascension
Behold the Master instructing His disciples: He has enlightened their minds to understand the Scriptures and makes them witnesses of His life, His miracles, His passion and death, and the glory of His resurrection. Then He leads them out toward Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blesses them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He departed from them and was carried up into heaven, until a cloud took Him out of their sight.
Jesus has gone to His Father. Two Angels in white garments approach us and say: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?” (Acts 1:11) Peter and the other Apostles return to Jerusalem with great joy. It is right that the Most Holy Humanity of Christ should receive honor, homage, and adoration from the choirs of Angels and the procession of all the saints in heaven.
But you and I feel orphaned, sadness overcomes us, and we go to Mary to seek consolation.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Our Lord said: “I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever.” The disciples were all together in one place, when suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them.
(Jn 14:16; Acts 2:1-3)
The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, gave the impression of being drunk. Then Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke to them. We, the inhabitants of a hundred nations, listen to him. Each of us hears him speaking in our own native language. He speaks to us of Jesus Christ, of the Holy Spirit, and of God the Father. Amazingly, they do not stone him, nor do they cast him into prison, and of those who listen to him, three thousand are converted and baptized.
You and I, after helping the Apostles administer baptism, praise God the Father for His Son, Jesus Christ. And we too feel intoxicated by the Holy Spirit.
The Assumption of Mary
“God has taken Mary up into heaven, body and soul; the Angels rejoice!” So sings the Church. And we too, in a joyful mood, begin to contemplate the mystery of this decade of the rosary.
The Mother of God has fallen asleep. Around Her bed the twelve Apostles are gathered. Matthias occupies the place of Judas. And we, through a grace that everyone recognizes, are also at Her side.
But Jesus desires to have His Mother, body and soul, in Heaven. The Heavenly Court in all its splendor welcomes the Mother of God. You and I-still remaining children-catch hold of the train of the Virgin's magnificent heavenly cloak, and thanks to this, we can behold this wondrous setting.
The Most Holy Trinity receives and pays homage to Her who is the Daughter, Mother, and Spouse of God... And so great is the majesty of Mary that the Angels cry out in amazement: “Who is She?”
The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
“Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee. My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up. Veni coronaberis - Come, thou shalt be crowned.” (Cant 4:7,12,8) You and I, if only we could, would also make Her Queen and Lady of all creation.
“And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev 12:1). Mary, the Virgin without blemish, repaired the fall of Eve and with her immaculate heel crushed the head of the infernal serpent. Daughter of God, Mother of God, Spouse of God.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit crown Her as the rightful ruler of the Universe. The Angels pay Her homage as Her subjects... and the patriarchs, and prophets, and Apostles, and martyrs, and confessors, and virgins, and all the saints... and all sinners, and you, and I.