Rosary Markings

  Year of the Rosary, October 2002 - October 2003

The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan

Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.  John tried to refuse him with the protest, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me!” Jesus answered him, “Give in for now; we must do this if we are to fulfill all of God’s demands.” So John gave in.  After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water.  Suddenly, the sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove, and hover over him.  With that, a voice from the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son.  My favor rests on Him.”

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

Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 21

The Second Luminous Mystery: The Self-Revelation of the Lord at the Wedding Feast of Cana

John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus and his disciples had likewise been invited to the celebration.  At a certain point in time the wine ran out, and Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”  Jesus replied, “Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me?  My hour has not yet come.”  His mother instructed those waiting on table, “Do whatever he tells you.”  As prescribed for Jewish ceremonial washings, there were at hand six stone jars, each one holding fifteen to twenty gallons.  “Fill those jars with water, “Jesus ordered, at which they filled them to the brim.  “Now,” he said, “draw some out and take it to the waiter in charge.”  They did as he instructed them.  The waiter in charge tasted the water made wine, without knowing where it had come from; only the waiters knew, since they had drawn the water.  Then the waiter in charge called the groom over and remarked to him, “People usually serve the choice wine first; then when the guests have been drinking awhile, a lesser vintage.  What you have done is keep the choice wine until now.”  Jesus performed the first of his signs at Cana in Galilee.  Thus did he reveal his glory, and the disciples believed in him.

Another mystery of light is the first of the signs, given at Cana (cf. Jn 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. … In these mysteries, apart from the miracle at Cana, the presence of Mary remains in the background. The Gospels make only the briefest reference to her occasional presence at one moment or other during the preaching of Jesus (cf. Mk 3:31-5; Jn 2:12), and they give no indication that she was present at the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. Yet the role she assumed at Cana in some way accompanies Christ throughout his ministry. The revelation made directly by the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan and echoed by John the Baptist is placed upon Mary's lips at Cana, and it becomes the great maternal counsel which Mary addresses to the Church of every age: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). This counsel is a fitting introduction to the words and signs of Christ's public ministry and it forms the Marian foundation of all the “mysteries of light”.

–Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 21.

Mark 1:14-15

After John’s arrest, Jesus appeared in Galilee proclaiming the good news of God.  “This is the time of fulfillment.  The reign of God is at hand!  Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel!”

Another mystery of light is the preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mk 2:3-13; Lk 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. Jn 20:22-23).

                        -Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 21

The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Luke 9:28-36

About eight days after saying this, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up onto a mountain to pray.  While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothes became dazzling white.  Suddenly two men were talking with him-Moses and Elijah.  They appeared in glory and spoke of his passage, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.  Peter and those with him had fallen into a deep sleep; but awakening, they saw his glory and likewise saw the two men who were standing with him.  When these were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, how good it is for us to be here.  Let us set up three booths, one for you, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not really know what he was saying.)  While he was speaking, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and the disciples grew fearful as the others entered it.  Then from the cloud came a voice which said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One.  Listen to him.”  When the voice fell silent, Jesus was there alone.  The disciple kept quiet, telling nothing of what they had seen at that time to anyone.

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. Lk 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.

                        -Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 21

Matthew 26:26-30

During the meal Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take this and eat it,” he said. “This is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. “All of you must drink from it,” he said, “for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink this fruit of the vine from now until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s reign.” Then, after singing songs of praise, they walked out to the Mount of Olives.

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 (Jn 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice.

                        -Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 21

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