De Christo lucis; Mysterium Lucis
On October 16, 2002, St John Paul issued an Apostolic Letter entitled Rosarium Virginis Mariae ( The Rosary of the Virgin Mary) which provided an in-depth look at this time-honoured Marian devotion and broadened the Mysteries that are contemplated in its recitation.
According to Catholic Encyclopedia, an Apostolic Letters are Letters (litterae apostolicae).—
I. The letters of the Apostles to Christian communities or those in authority, i.e. the Pauline Epistles, including the Epistle to the Hebrews, together with the seven Catholic Epistles of the other Apostles.
II. Documents issued by the Pope or in his name, e.g. bulls and briefs.
In this context, we are dealing with the second definition. Which is a document issued by a pope by virtue of virtue of his office.
St John Paul suggested the addition of five new Mysteries from events found in the Public Ministry of Jesus, between his baptism and his Passion, a part of his life that was not covered by contemplation of the traditional Mysteries. He described the mysteries as luminous because Jesus, the Light of the world (Ref. 8:12), displayed the light of his truth in a special way during the years of his public life.
The Luminous Mysteries provide us an opportunity to meditate upon the person of Jesus Christ as light of the world. Father Oscar Lukefahr notes, In the first Luminous Mystery, the voice of the Father and the descent of the Holy Spirit spotlight Jesus as Son of God (Ref. John 1:29-34). In the second mystery, Jesus works his first miracle, which illumines the path leading to his hour, his triumph over sin and death ( Ref. John 2:1-11). In the third, he bestows the light of his truth as he preaches the coming of God's Kingdom (Ref. Luke 4:14-44). In the fourth, Jesus’ Transfiguration let his divinity shine through so brightly that his disciples are dazzled by his glory and by the Father’s command to listen to Jesus (Ref. Luke 9:28-36). In the fifth, Jesus makes the light of his true presence in the Eucharist available to all humanity until the end of time. (Ref. Luke 22:7-20)
“Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully a 'Compendium of the Gospel', it is fitting to add following reflection on the incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (Joyful Mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of his Passion (Sorrowful Mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (Glorious Mysteries)-- a meditation on the certain particularly significant moments of his Public Ministry (Luminous Mysteries).”
Today is Thursday, it is dedicated to the meditation on the Luminous Mysteries. Have a moment and pray the rosary today.
I have journeyed with you for the past twenty days. For the next ten days, I will not provide any write up. This is to enable us all to rediscover the messages and the in-depth meanings of each write up. I will be back on the last day ( 31st October) to give my final reflection.
Our Lady of the Rosary,....Pray for us!!
Compiled by:
Eric K. Dagbui
No comments:
Post a Comment