Luminous Mysteries
Mysteries of Light
On Thursdays

    1- Baptism: The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
    2- Cana: His self-manifestation at the Wedding of Cana.
    3- The Kingdom of God: His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to Conversion
    4- His Transfiguration: The mystery of light and glory par excellence
    5- The Eucharist: His institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the paschal mystery.


baptism--greco8.jpg (10384 bytes)First Luminous Mystery:
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan:

    "The Baptism in the Jordan is first of all a mystery of light," the Pope writes. "Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became 'sin' for our sake (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son (cf. Matthew 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out."

    In our Eucharist, we plunge more and more into the waters of our Baptism, to live as Temples of the Spirit, as Tabernacles of Jesus, and as sons and dwellers of the God the Father (Jn.14:23).

    Click to Enlarge    Baptism of Jesus Pictures

    John Paul II's Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" (10-16-2002)   The 5 "Mysteries of Light" added by John Paul II (10-16-2002) 
   
Pope proclaims "Year of Rosary" (10-16-2002)   John Paul II Answers Rosary's Critics   Papal Address at Presentation of Apostolic Letter on Rosary
   
       
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Second Luminous Mystery:
His self-manifestation at the Wedding of Cana:

    Another mystery of light is the first of the signs, given at Cana (see John 2:1- 12), when Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers," the apostolic letter adds.

    In each of our Eucharist we live a little more the reality that our life on earth is a Wedding Feast, in which our soul is invited, and not as any guest but as the Bride of the Lamb.

    Our Live on Earth: A Wedding Feast



noha.JPG (19986 bytes)Third Luminous Mystery:
His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to Conversion:

    "Another mystery of light is the preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mark 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47-48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his Church (cf. John 20:22-23)," the document continues.

    We are already in the Kingdom of God, in His Church!... by faith... in each Eucharist, our daily bread, we convert again and again to live it fully on earth... and when we fall, there is the Sacrament of mercy, the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

  The "Kingdom of God":

 



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Fourth Luminous Mystery:
His Transfiguration:
The mystery of light and glory par excellence

    Explaining the fourth "mystery of light," the Holy Father continues: "The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to 'listen to him' (cf. Luke 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit.

    The celebration of the Eucharist is our transfiguration on earth to prepare for the agony of our daily passion to end up in the glorious joy of our Resurrection.

    Transfiguration of Jesus   Transfiguration


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Fifth Luminous Mystery:
His institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the paschal mystery:

    "A final mystery of light is the institution of the Eucharist, in which Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies 'to the end' his love for humanity (John 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice."

   At Bethlehem God looked like a baby, he could not talk nor walk... God could not walk!... he had to be fed and cleaned... and he was really God!... the only one God!...

    ... In the Eucharist he is still more humble: He looks less than a human, less than an animal or a plant, he looks just like bread and wine... he tastes like bread and wine... and he is God!... really the only one God... the same one who created the universe, the one who gave you your hands and feet and heart, the one who gives you daily the air and sun and water, and the trees and mountains and the butterflies... all the scientists have been unable to make not even a leaf of a tree!... the Jesus Christ of the Eucharist made them all!... and He wants to be "our daily bread"! of Matt.6:9.

    The Eucharist... The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass