The Glorious Mysteries - Meditations for the 20th Papal Day ”Totus Tuus”
The Resurrection
Saint John Paul II suggested to us that ”the contemplation of Christ's face cannot stop at the image of the Crucified One. He is the Risen One! The Rosary has always expressed this knowledge born of faith, inviting the believer to pass beyond the darkness of the Passion in order to gaze upon Christ's glory in his Resurrection and Ascension. Contemplating the Risen One, the Christian rediscovers the reasons for his own faith and relives the joy not only of those to whom Christ appeared-the Apostles, Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the way to Emmaus-but also the joy of Mary, who must have had an equally intense experience of the new life of her glorified Son.” (RVM, 23)
Mary, our Mother, we pray to You, strengthen our faith in the risen Lord and let us hear the words of the Lord that will free our hearts from fear: Do not be afraid! I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said! (Mt 28:5-6)
The Ascension
The Holy Father recalls in his book ”Gift and Mystery” that during the period when his priestly vocation was taking shape, his understanding of devotion to the Mother of God underwent a certain transformation. While previously he was convinced that Mary leads us to Christ, during this time he began to understand that Christ also leads us to His Mother. Just as Mary draws us closer to Christ, leads us to Him, but on the condition that we live Her mystery in Christ.
Mary, our Mother, we pray to You, strengthen our faith so that, imitating You, our eyes may always be fixed on Your Son, who invites us onto the path leading to heaven.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Saint John Paul II notes that ”Mary, after the events of the Resurrection and Ascension, having entered the Upper Room with the Apostles in expectation of Pentecost, remained there as the Mother of the glorified Lord. She was not only the one who had made her pilgrimage of faith and faithfully maintained her union with her Son unto the cross, but she was at the same time the handmaid of the Lord whom her Son left as Mother in the midst of the nascent Church. Thus began to take shape a special bond between this Mother and the Church.” (RVM, 40)
Mary, our Mother, we pray to You, strengthen our faith in Your presence in the Church and allow us to remain by Your side, constantly opening ourselves to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Assumption of Mary
The Holy Father emphasizes that Mary, assumed into heaven, does not cease her saving role, but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. ”By her maternal charity, Mary cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into the happiness of their true home.” (RVM, 40)
Mary, our Mother, we pray to You, strengthen our faith that You constantly watch over us and care for those who experience difficulties while journeying on this earth and seeking Your intercession.
The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Saint John Paul II wrote that ”Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, shares in the kingship of her Son. Her royal exaltation does not cease to be the glory of service: assumed into heaven, she does not cease that saving service in which her maternal mediation is expressed, until the eternal fulfillment of the salvation of all the elect. In this way, she who on earth faithfully maintained her union with her Son unto the cross remains united with Him now that all things are subjected to Him, until He Himself subjects Himself and all things to the Father.” (RVM, 41)
Mary, our Mother, we pray to You, strengthen our faith so that, just as Your Son did, we may know how to serve other people until the end of our lives here on earth, and after death experience the joy of meeting Him in His kingdom.