The Luminous Mysteries - Meditations of Pope Benedict XVI

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

The profession of faith is not a sum of propositions, it is not a theory. Its roots lie in the event of baptism, in the event of the encounter between God and man. In the mystery of baptism, God bends down over us humans, comes to meet us, and in this way brings us closer to one another. Thus, He makes all of us one big family in the universal communion of the Church.

The Wedding at Cana

Love is possible, and we can practice it because we are created in the image of God. Let us pray for one another, that Christ may carry us on His shoulders and that we may learn to carry one another.

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

We desire to continually implore this saving gaze of Jesus: for all those who bear responsibility in the Church; for all those suffering because of the confusion prevailing in our times; for the great and the small. Lord, continually look upon us, lift us from all our falls, and take us into Your good hands.

The Transfiguration

Only where God is seen does life truly begin. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be reached, surprised by the Gospel, by Christ.

The Institution of the Eucharist

Union with Christ is at the same time union with all those to whom He gives Himself. I cannot have Christ just for myself; I can belong to Him only in union with all those who have already become or will become His.