WelCom October 2024
James B Lyons
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
In October 2002, Pope John Paul II added The Mysteries of Light to the Rosary. His initiative was almost 600 years after the original set of Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries became the points of meditation in this classic Catholic devotion.
The purpose of the change was to complete the life cycle of Jesus. While the Joyful Mysteries give us the infancy of Jesus, the Sorrowful follow his suffering and death, and the Glorious his resurrection and gift of the Holy Spirit, the Mysteries of Light provide contemplation on the public life of Jesus, from his Baptism by John to the Last Supper.
The change is still not fully appreciated by many for whom the Rosary has been a constant, unchanging prayer. May the following reflection, in this October month of the Holy Rosary, assist a clearer understanding.
Jesus describes himself as ‘the light of the world’ and assures those who follow him ‘will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’, [John 8:12]. By following Jesus through this set of ‘mysteries’ we are invited into a relationship with him as he expands his awareness of the mission before him, reveals his identity as the ‘Anointed One’ – the Christ – and gifts himself to his followers in the Eucharist.
Mary’s presence on this journey is in the background, a mostly unseen influence. The human qualities that characterise Jesus’ behaviour and thinking reflect her years of maternal example and guidance. The faithfulness and beauty of Mary’s life have helped Jesus set his own course.
1. The Baptism of Jesus – I Iriiria a Hehu
Three elements in the baptism ceremony, water, oil and light, can assist contemplation of this particular mystery.
Each has a link to life; they are indeed necessary for all life on Earth. Baptism marks our adoption as children of God; the baptised become part of the Body of Christ, the People of God, and rising from the waters of rebirth, in the strength of the Holy Spirit (oil), is charged to share in the mission of Christ as light for the world.
In this Decade, contemplate the promises made in your own baptism. Renew your belief in the Triune God and feel this belief empowering you to enlighten, encourage and serve.
2. The Wedding at Cana – Ko te Marenatanga kei Kana
This festive occasion is described in John 2:1-11 and recorded as the first of the signs given by Jesus.
It is Mary who calls Jesus’ attention to the fact that ‘They have no wine’ in her concern that this lack will be extremely embarrassing for the hosts. She makes no request of Jesus to do anything about it; just lets him know that she’s concerned. She then catches the eyes of a servant and says simply, ‘Do whatever he tells you’. The result is a supply of the choicest wine, more than any gathering could ever need.
As a Mystery of Light, the wedding feast opens us to the impact of Mary in the life of Jesus and the generosity of God; to Mary’s attention to detail, her instinctive awareness of potential disaster, and her confidence that all will be well if the words of Jesus are listened to and acted on.
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom – Te Kauhau Mō Te Kīngitanga
As a Mystery of Light, the proclamation throws light on the universal search for meaning. Jesus announces the nearness of God. People are healed, the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk – the human condition is put back in balance and the message that God wants only wholeness and life is clearly stated. This is good news indeed.
Evangelising – telling the good news – can seem an improbable task: Because we do not always see the seeds growing, we need an interior certainty, a conviction that God is able to act in every situation, even amid apparent setbacks [Pope Francis, EG, n.279]. Here Mary is our invaluable and necessary guide. As the handmaid of the Lord she went with total trust – even when her Son seemed to deny her access to him or ignore her plea [Mk 3:33; Jn 2:4].
4. The Transfiguration – Te Whakaahuaketanga o Hehu
This Mystery of Light contains everything that reveals and endorses the power and the wisdom of God. Much of this ‘light’ lies in potential: initially not understood, and only fully appreciated when other things fall into place. Jesus was sowing seeds that would flower in the disciples’ consciousness to become their support, their protection and their badge of honour.
Mary empathised with their hesitation and their fear. She had been there before them. She teaches the importance of deeply pondering whatever brings doubt, apprehension and a feeling of improbability. Such pondering nurtures the seed, ultimately bringing it to light.
We, too, are called to listen to Jesus. We need to shrug off personal agendas or preconceived notions that get in the way of truly hearing and seeing what he is trying to get across.
This is the Mystery of Light ‘par excellence’: The glory of God shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to listen to him [Lk 9:35] 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. [John Paul II, Rosarium VM, 2002, n.21]
5. Institution of the Eucharist – Te Hapa Whakamutanga
The Eucharist is gifted in the midst of uncertainty. Jesus hints there is a traitor amongst them. In the ritual invoking the memory of the sacrificial lamb that helped secure the release of the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery, Jesus proclaims himself as ‘THE Lamb’, given in sacrifice for all people – including those at table with him. From now on, he himself is to be the nourishment for his pilgrim followers, the food for their journey, the pledge of his presence.
Mary, who gifted herself in the nourishment of Jesus, would have been among the first to grasp the significance of his words, Do this in memory of me [Lk 22:19], as she held fast the memory of that first announcement and knew she lived in the presence of God. This presence was the source of her peace.
The Eucharist is the ‘light’ of Christians, the meeting point of the faithful in communion with God and one another.
Contact Fr James Lyons at j.lyons@wn.catholic.org.nz for a copy of Beads of Contemplation a booklet of meditations covering all four Mysteries, including a more extensive treatment of the Mysteries of Light.