The Transfiguration
Mary, the mother of Jesus relates the event: John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, rushed to my home. How I enjoyed seeing John, the youngest follower of my Son. Full of life and enthusiasm, ready in a moment to do whatever Jesus suggested, he came breathless and excited. “Mary, you’ll never imagine what Peter, James, […]
The Agony in the Garden
Mary at home after the Passover meal. The room had been prepared well, the lamb delicious, the ritual prayers and ancient story held solemn remembrance of God’s faithfulness. But then the original words over cup and bread by the Host seemed to foreshadow both anxious uncertainty and trust in the divine. Worry was not a […]
The Birth of Our Lord
Related by Joseph, Mary’s husband Everyone was on the move. Caesar Augustus had ordered a census, and Mary and I had to go to Bethlehem. Our neighbors in Galilee argued how long the trip would take. Those without family to attend along the way thought they could manage eight hours a day if their donkey […]
The Crucifixion
Along the way to Calvary, several women were in the “great crowd of people [who] followed him” (Lk. 23:27). Turning to them Jesus instructed them not to weep for him but for their children. Mary understood their grief. Dry-eyed, the mother of Jesus walked near her Son, her presence the most supporting role earth’s history […]
The Scourging at the Pillar
Visualizing or empathizing with Jesus’ Scourging at the Pillar is difficult, so far is it beyond our experience. Other mysteries of the rosary also lie beyond our imagination, so joyful, so sorrowful, so glorious or full of light. This is one reason why I have been suggesting that we meditate on the Blessed Virgin’s response […]
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
We begin the Luminous Mysteries with the Baptism of Jesus. It’s his coming out party enjoyed with his cousin John who declared Jesus the Lamb of God. Ready for ministry, trusting his heavenly Father’s backing, but perhaps feeling some emotional reluctance— “My hour has not yet come”—Jesus decides to perform his first miracle. Like many […]
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
From Mary’s point of view Every year Joseph and I would travel to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. We had been doing this for about twelve years traveling with our baby and later with our growing child. This year Jesus was twelve and we trusted Jesus with increased responsibility and freedom, although my mother’s […]
The Resurrection
Scripture shares several appearances of the Risen Lord: the women at the tomb, Mary Magdalene and other women who brought perfumed oil to anoint the body, the Eleven, the two on the road to Emmaus, and perhaps others not named. But Scripture does not mention an appearance to his mother Mary. Some claim that an […]
The Visitation
When the Angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth, to speak to a virgin betrothed to Joseph, the Angel delivered messages from God. The first and most important message announced to Mary was that she would bear a son and name him Jesus. A second message involved Mary’s cousin Elizabeth. Though thought to be sterile, Elizabeth […]
The Wedding Feast at Cana
We pray the Luminous Mysteries, the Mysteries of Light, on Thursdays. We meditate on the events in the lives of Jesus and Mary from the Baptism of Our Lord to the Last Supper. During the second decade we meditate on the Wedding Feast at Cana. Imagine the joy and celebration, the laughter, the good food […]