Biblical Rosary Summaries

Biblical Rosary Summaries
-Meditations for the Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries   (Monday & Saturday)
The Luminous Mysteries   (Thursday)
The Sorrowful Mysteries   (Tuesday & Friday)
The Glorious Mysteries   (Sunday & Wednesday)


Annunciation

Our Father
  1. Mary committed herself to a vow of celibacy as part of a “prayer chain” to bring the Messiah. (HM-1)
  2. Mary’s private prayer was to be allowed to be the handmaid of the mother of the Messiah. (HM-2)
  3. On Monday Tevet 2, December 9 [1] , the last day of Chanukah, Archangel Gabriel appeared to her saying: “Hail Mary full of grace! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God” (Lk 1:28). (HM-3)
  4. Gabriel said: “You will conceive and bear a son and you will name him Jesus” (Lk 1:31). “He will be great and will be called ‘Son of the Most High’, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of David forever, and of his kingship there will be no end” (Lk 1:28-33). (HM-4)
  5. Mary asked: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” [I am under a vow of celibacy] (Lk 1:34). (HM-5)
  6. Gabriel responded: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35).  (HM-6)
  7. Mary replied: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be it done to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her” (Lk 1:38).  (HM-7)
  8. With Mary’s “Yes” came the Incarnation: God assumed human nature! God entered his own creation!  (HM-8)
  9. Chanukah that year marked a radically new beginning in the relationship between man and God. The Light has come into the world. (HM-9)
  10. God has answered Mary’s prayer, Joseph’s prayer, and the prayers of all Israel! What joy she must feel! (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Visitation

Our Father
  1. Gabriel had given Mary a sign: “Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” (Lk 1:36-37). (HM-1)
  2. Mary traveled with a caravan leaving Nazareth the next morning for Jerusalem, staying with the caravan until reaching the turn off to Ein Karem on the seventh day. (HM-2)
  3. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leapt in her womb (Lk 1:40), and Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice: “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:42-43). (HM-3)
  4. By following the sign given by Gabriel, Mary was rewarded with a confirmation of the angel’s message. Responding with the Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55), Mary turned everything to God. (HM-4)
  5. Mary and Elizabeth decided it would be presumptuous to say anything to Joseph, since the angel did not mention him. (HM-5)
  6. Joseph joined Mary’s extended family celebration of Passover in Jerusalem and realized Mary is pregnant. (HM-6)
  7. Elizabeth, under stress because of Mary’s situation, went into labor and gave birth to a son. A son who had the spirit of Elijah (Lk 1:17), just as the Angel had told Zechariah, and who arrived on Passover for the Seder meal fulfilling the expectations of the Jews as to the timing of Elijah’s return. (HM-7)
  8. Joseph retired for the night and began to pray about Mary’s situation. He decided to take Mary’s guilt on himself to save her life. Then the angel appeared to Joseph saying: “Joseph son of David, do not fear to take Mary, your wife, for what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit: she will bear a son and you [will adopt him and] will name him Jesus [‘Yahweh saves’], for He will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:20-21).  (HM-8)
  9. Early the following morning Joseph and Mary shared the stories of their respective angelic visits. (HM-9)
  10. They formalized their marriage, celebrating the nisu’in and planned on returning for the fall festivals when they would be relocating to Bethlehem, where they knew the messiah was to be born. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Nativity

Our Father
  1. Because they were moving to Bethlehem, on August 24th, Elul 24th, Mary and Joseph packed their belongings and joined a caravan traveling from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the Fall Feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles). (HM-1)
  2. They spent each of the five nights enroute in a caravansary courtyard with the animals and they spent Trumpets and Atonement with Elizabeth and Zechariah (HM-2).
  3. On September 12, Tishrei 14, they traveled from Ein Karem to Bethlehem to be there for the 8-day Feast of Tabernacles and the birth of their son. When they arrived, they discovered the caravansary in Bethlehem was already full of sukkot. (HM-3)
  4. They used, instead of Joseph’s sukkah, an empty stable that was used only during the winter to protect new-born lambs from the weather. (HM-4)
  5. On September 13th, Tishrei 15th, the Feast of Tabernacles (“God with us” or “Emanuel”), Jesus was born. (HM-5)
  6. Four 75’ Menorahs lighted the night sky from the temple, creating a light visible all the way to Bethlehem, while Jesus, the light of the world, was born in a stable, sukkah. (HM-6)
  7. Angels appeared to Levitical shepherds who were tending the temple flocks (Lk 2:9-14). (HM-7)
  8. The shepherds came to the stable, used to protect new born lambs, to see the new born Messiah, the Lamb of God (Lk 2:15-16). (HM-8)
  9. Jesus, Mary’s first born, was inspected by the Levitical shepherds, found without blemish, and thus qualified for the Pascal Sacrifice: The Lamb of God. (HM-9)
  10. Jesus, the Light of the World, was conceived (on the last day of Chanukah) and born (on the Feast of Tabernacles): the two celebrations of light. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Presentation

Our Father
  1. Joseph moved the Holy Family into their new home in Bethlehem. (HM-1)
  2. On October 12th, Joseph redeemed Jesus, Mary’s first born, at the local synagogue. (HM-2)
  3. Mary, like any other mother who has given birth while the baby’s father is away, wanted to introduce Jesus to his father. (HM-3)
  4. On October 22nd, Mary purified herself in one of the baths at the entrance to the temple. When Mary and her family entered the temple, Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah and taking Jesus into his arms exclaimed: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples, a light of revelation to the gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32). (HM-4)
  5. Mary is purified with the offering specified for poor families. (HM-5)
  6. Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God his Father: “Yahweh, your Son”. (HM-6)
  7. Anna, an 84-year-old widow of the tribe of Asher, also recognized Jesus as the one who will provide the redemption of Jerusalem (Lk 2:38). (HM-7)
  8. Simeon told Mary: “Behold this child is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you, yourself, a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many may be revealed.” (Lk 2:34-35) (HM-8)
  9. While rejoicing at the introduction of her son to his Father and the fact that her son was recognized as the Messiah even as an infant, Mary held him close to her heart since she also realized that Simeon’s prophecy will occur because of her son. (HM-9)
  10. Simeon Ben Hillel had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and assumed that Mary and Joseph had presented Jesus as an offering to God. Realizing that Mary and Joseph left without recording the dedication, he recorded Jesus as dedicated to Temple Service on their behalf. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Finding in the Temple

Our Father
  1. The loss and finding of Jesus in the temple is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The events occured on the same days, on the Gregorian calendar, as his death and resurrection. (HM-1)
  2. To hurt one’s parents is a sin and Jesus didn’t commit a sin! We are missing something! (HM-2)
  3. At Mary’s purification, Simeon, a rabbi and leading Pharisee, had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and saw what he assumed to be Mary presenting Jesus for dedication to Temple Service and so Jesus’ dedication to Temple Service was recorded, by Simeon on behalf of Mary and Joseph. (HM-3)
  4. God, of course, knew this would happen and provided for it in the Torah: “If anyone vows to give himself or one of his family members to the full service of the Lord, and circumstance changes so that he cannot keep his vow, he shall pay a redemption price to be freed from that vow” (Lev 27:2). If they cannot afford the redemption price the person dedicated will be brought to the priest who will place a value based on the man’s ability to pay (Lev 27:8). (HM-4)
  5. Simeon lived until he was 130 years old, dying in 20 AD. He would have looked for Jesus every year at Passover, asking if this was the year he would be staying. The visit with Simeon would have become a routine part of the family Passover. He would have told Jesus that his parents dedicated him for Temple Service and that he had to be in residence by the time he turned 13. (HM-5)
  6. When Jesus was 12 after the Passover Festival, Mary and Joseph left for home, assuming Jesus was with the other boys in the caravan. (HM-6)
  7. Mary and Joseph discovered Jesus had not joined the caravan and must wait until morning to return to Jerusalem. Not finding Jesus with friends they must again wait until morning to check in the temple. (HM-7)
  8. When Mary found Jesus, she said: “Son, why have you done this to us?” (Lk 2:48) (HM-8)
  9. Jesus responded: “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49). (HM-9)
  10. There was no sin: Jesus could not leave. What must Mary have thought and felt? Her son was 12 years old and Mary and Joseph had apparently left their son, to spend the rest of his life in the temple, without even saying “Good-by”! What joy to have him back! (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

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The Luminous Mysteries

Jesus is Baptized

Our Father
  1. John begins his gospel, paralleling the creation story to initiate the story of the new creation brought about by Jesus. (HM-1)
  2. John the Baptist proclaims: “I have baptized you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mt 3:11, Acts 13:24-25). (HM-2)
  3. John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. Afterwards a voice from Heaven announces: “This is my beloved Son (Ps 2:7) in whom I am well pleased (Is 42:1)” (Mt 3:17, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22).  (HM-3)
  4. The heavens were split apart (just as at the beginning of Moses’ Exodus the Red Sea was split). John testifies: “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain on him” (Jn 1:32, Lk 3:21). John proclaims Jesus is the Son of God since He is the one on whom the Spirit descended (Jn 1:34).  (HM-4)
  5. In this heavenly manifestation, occurring at Jesus’ baptism, is instituted the sacrament of Baptism. The Trinity is manifested: the voice of the Father is heard as the Spirit descends upon the Son.  (HM-5)
  6. As Jesus approaches, after his trial in the desert, John sees him and calls out: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29). John the Baptist makes a prophetic statement that refers to Jesus as a sacrificial lamb, and that acknowledges Jesus as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. (HM-6)
  7. Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and events surrounding Jesus’ Baptism are recorded in all four Gospels. (HM-7)
  8. Already in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, John the Evangelist has made it very clear that Jesus is Divine (Jn 1:14); Jesus is the Son of God (Jn 1:34); Jesus is God’s suffering servant, the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29,36); and Jesus is the Messiah (Jn 1:41). (HM-8)
  9. With John the Baptist’s laying on his hands, Jesus has his priesthood conferred, not of the order of Levi but of the order of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4). That priesthood is handed down from father to son: “This is my son in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22). (HM-9)
  10. Jesus was 30 years old at that time (Lk 3:23). That is the age at which a rabbi could begin his ministry (Nm 4:1-3). (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Wedding Feast at Cana

Our Father
  1. In John’s gospel, the wedding feast, occurring on the 7th day of the “New Creation”, foreshadows the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). (HM-1)
  2. The transformation of water into wine represents the replacement of the Jewish ceremonial washings and symbolizes the entire creative and transforming work of Jesus. (HM-2)
  3. The brothers, apostles, St. Simon and St. Jude, were nephews by marriage to Mary and likely one or the other was the groom at the wedding. (HM-3)
  4. During the wedding feast, they ran out of wine. Mary turned to Jesus: "They have no wine" (Jn 2:3). Jesus replied: "Woman, what is this between you and me? My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4). (HM-4)
  5. Jesus’ reference to “my hour” points Mary to the connection to the Eucharistic Miracle in which He will change wine into his blood at the Last Supper: thus completing the parallel to Moses changing water into blood.  (HM-5)
  6. God uses the family relationship as a metaphor all throughout the bible. (HM-6)
  7. The Marriage Oath, to love your spouse, implies a conscious decision to place the spouse’s need, the spouse’s happiness, before one’s own. Because we are human that kind of love requires the two pillars of love: repentance fueled by humility and forgiveness fueled by mercy.  (HM-7)
  8. With Jesus’ presence and miracle, Jesus institutes the sacrament of Matrimony. It is a covenant relationship: a relationship bound with an oath. Violation of an oath calls a curse down on oneself.  (HM-8)
  9. The devil works to destroy the family because the family is where we learn to love, to be like God. His efforts to destroy the family began in earnest with the introduction of contraceptives: introducing the notion that sex is primarily for enjoyment (focus is on self); not for the creation and nurturing of new life. (HM-9)
  10. Mary said to the waiters: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5). That is what Mary continues to say to us: Do whatever He tells you. Mary is our most powerful advocate! Invite her to be part of your life. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

The Kingdom of God

Our Father
  1. Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick when He sent the apostles out to announce the coming of the Kingdom, preach repentance, and anoint with oil those who were sick (Mt 10:6-7, Mk 6:13). (HM-1)
  2. “You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.” “What does God require of you but to do right, to love steadfastly, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic 6:8). (HM-2)
  3. "My kingdom is not of this world" (Jn 18:36). It is only perceivable in the physical world when we surrender ourselves to God and love one another. (HM-3)
  4. "Unless a man is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" (Jn 3:5). We need to awaken to the spiritual reality, to begin life anew in the spiritual dimension. (HM-4)
  5. "Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it" (Mk 10:15). A child accepts reality with wonder and awe not skepticism. (HM-5)
  6. God is love (1Jn 4:8): since we can love, therefore we are in his image. When we love, we are being like God, we are in God’s likeness. (HM-6)
  7. Every Kingdom has laws. The Kingdom of God has two fundamental laws:
    1. Love God with your whole heart, mind, and strength.
    2. Love your neighbor as Jesus loved us. (Jn 13:34) [He gave the highest honor at the Last Supper to his enemy, He gave his life for each of us.]
     (HM-7)
  8. A “value” is a standard of behavior; a judgement of what is important in life. God provided us with an initial set of values: The Ten Commandments (Ex 20:2-17, Deut 5 6-21).  (HM-8)
  9. Every Kingdom has overseers. All authority comes from God (Rm 13:1) and we must obey all authority unless to do so would violate one of the fundamental laws and values of God stated above. (HM-9)
  10. God is a farmer raising spiritual beings. The worst things you can do to a farmer is destroy his crops (murder, war, abortion, euthanasia), render them infertile (birth control, sterilization, gender modification), destroy the means of nurturing the crops (the break-up of the family), or pollute the crop (promote the media’s value set): it seems our very culture is at war with God! We are truly in a spiritual battle. Whose side am I on?  (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Transfiguration

Our Father
  1. “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Mt 16:28). “And after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray” (Mt 17:1).  (HM-1)
  2. Jesus was transfigured before them: "His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light" (Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-8, Lk 9:28-3). (HM-2)
  3. Jesus foresaw the scandal of the cross and prepared them for it by allowing them to experience the Kingdom of God; witnessing this manifestation of his glory. (HM-3)
  4. Moses and Elijah (representing the Law and the prophets of the Old Testament) were conversing with Jesus about his exodus from Jerusalem which He was about to accomplish (Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-8, Lk 9:28-36). (HM-4)
  5. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery to Egypt in his exodus. Jesus leads all of us out of slavery to self. Moses’ exodus was in the physical realm while Jesus’ exodus is in the spiritual realm.  (HM-5)
  6. "Do not think I have come to destroy the law or the prophets... but to fulfill them” (Mt 5:17). (HM-6)
  7. Peter said to Jesus: “Lord it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mt 17:4) (HM-7)
  8. At that moment from a cloud came a voice: "This is my beloved Son, listen to him" (Mt 17:5, Mk 9:7, Lk 9:35). (HM-8)
  9. The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place for the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus himself as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth. (HM-9)
  10. Am I ready to follow Jesus on his exodus? Jesus’ exodus is through the cross! Jesus even said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me” (Mk 8:34-35, Lk 9:23). (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

The Last Supper

Our Father
  1. For the Jews, sacrificed objects needed to be consumed. The Todah is one of the sacrifices of the Israelites, dating back to Melchizedek. It is a sacrifice of unleavened bread and wine that is accompanied by thanksgiving hymns and is offered by someone who has been delivered from great peril. (HM-1)
  2. The Seder was a special celebration in that it was both a sacrificial meal in which the sacrificed pascal lamb was consumed but it was also a Todah, a thanksgiving sacrifice, of un-leavened bread and wine in thanksgiving for the anticipated deliverance that would be provided by the blood of the sacrificed lamb: the angel of death would see the blood and pass over the house.  (HM-2)
  3. For the Seder, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to be a dress rehearsal for the Eucharist, there must be a Seder Meal before the temple sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb which is the dress rehearsal for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. For this God utilized the Essenes’ solar calendar. (HM-3)
  4. Jesus washed the feet of his apostles and announced that He would be betrayed. To show John what it means to love your enemy, Jesus gave the highest honor to Judas as a demonstration of the new commandment He was giving the apostles: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). (HM-4)
  5. Jesus took bread, blessed it and said: "Take and eat, this is My Body." (Mt 26:26). Taking the 3rd of 4 cups of wine called the “Blessing Cup” (1Cor 10:16), Jesus said: "Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood. This cup is the new covenant in My Blood, shed for you" (Mt 26:28, Lk 22:20, 1Cor 11:25). [Instituting the Eucharist] “Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19, 1Cor 11:24) [Instituting Holy Orders.] (HM-5)
  6. Jesus said: “I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes” (Mt 26:29, Mk 14:25, Lk 22:18). (HM-6)
  7. The Last Supper, a Seder Supper, was a “Eucharistic”, “Todah”, “Thanksgiving” offering in anticipation of the deliverance that was about to take place after the 4th cup was taken from the hyssop branch on the cross: deliverance by means of the blood from the sacrifice of the Lamb of God via crucifixion. At every Eucharistic Celebration, the sacrifice of Calvary is made present because the Todah sacrifice, the Eucharist, was finished not in the upper room but on the cross. (HM-7)
  8. Jesus has shown us through many Eucharistic miracles that the bread and wine are truly transformed into his Body and Blood. The most notable of the Eucharistic miracles are the ones that occurred in: Lanciano, Buenos Aires, Tixtla, and Legnica. (HM-8)
  9. The ritual of the Seder meal prescribes a very specific set of prayers and actions. Paul makes a point of telling us that it was the Blessing Cup, the third cup, that Jesus consecrated and then we are told that they sang a hymn: the full Hallel (Ps 113 to 118) (Mk 14:26). (HM-9)
  10. Jesus and his disciples left the last supper after drinking the blessing cup but before taking the 4th cup (the “Cup of Acceptance”): leaving the Paschal meal unfinished! The Seder meal traditionally ends with the Nirtzah: a simple statement that the meal has been completed. That too didn’t happen until later. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)
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The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

Our Father
  1. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane:
    2. And He came out and went to the Mount of Olives; and the apostles also followed him (Jn 18:1). He went a little beyond them, about a stone’s throw, and fell to the ground, praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass him by. (HM-1)
  2. He began to sweat Blood:
    3. Jesus’ sweat becomes as drops of blood falling to the ground (Lk 22:44). That is a medical condition called hematidrosis brought on by extreme stress.  (HM-2)
  3. Jesus prayed three times:
    4. Jesus prayed saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mk 14:36). That cup was the 4th cup that He had omitted from the Seder meal: the cup He would drink from the cross.  (HM-3)
  4. Judas arrived:
    5. Then, joined by the temple guards, their officers, servants of the priests, and some of the elders of the people, Judas came there with lanterns, torches, swords and clubs (Jn 18:1-3, Mt 26:47).  (HM-4)
  5. The crowd is afraid of Jesus, a great prophet:
    6. Thinking of the fire of Elijah. Those in the front of the crowd step back as Jesus approaches. The step back causes them to fall over those in the back who were still moving forward. (HM-5)
  6. Peter cut off Malchus’ ear:
    7. Peter has jumped up, drawn a sword, and cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave (Jn 18:10). Jesus calls out: “No more of this!” (Lk 22:51). Jesus then said to Peter: “Put your sword back into its sheath. For all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” (Mt 26:52-54). “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (Jn 18:11). Jesus heals Malchus (Lk 22:49-51) and sees to it that his disciples are not also taken (Jn 18:8-9). (HM-6)
  7. No one reacts to Peter’s attack:
    8. Notice that no one in the crowd wants to initiate the attack on the prophet. They wait for Jesus’ lead. (HM-7)
  8. This hour and the power of darkness are yours:
    9. Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple [guard] and elders who had accompanied the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid a hand on me.” (Mt 26:55, Lk 22:52); but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” (Lk 22:53) (HM-8)
  9. Peter denies Jesus:
    10. Peter and John followed Jesus to Ananus’ house. John who was known to the high priest was allowed to enter. John then arranged to bring Peter inside. Peter denied that he was Jesus’ disciple when asked by the slave girl at the entrance (Jn 18:15-18). Peter joined the crowd as it moved to Caiaphas’ palace. A relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said: “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter denied it and immediately a rooster crowed. After a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter: “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” But he began to curse and swear: “I do not know this man you are talking about!”   (HM-9)
  10. Peter weeps bitterly:
    11. While Peter was still speaking, the cock crowed a second time and Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter.   And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly (Mt 26:69-75;Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:54-62; Jn 18:15-17,25-27). (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Scourging

Our Father
  1. Jesus was taken to Pilate later Wednesday morning:
    2. The Jews take Jesus to Pilate intending for him to die Wednesday or Thursday thereby avoiding the Temple Passover Festival. They could not allow his disruption of temple commerce to go unpunished, thereby undermining the authority of the priests. (HM-1)
  2. Pilate asked: What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
    3. When asked the charge against Jesus, Jews responded: “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered him to you” (Jn 18:29-30). But Pilate said: “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” To which the high priest said: “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. (Jn 18:31) (HM-2)
  3. Pilate questions Jesus:
    4. Pilate takes Jesus inside and bluntly asks: "Are you a king of the Jews?" (Mt 27:11, Mk 15: 2, Lk 23:3, Jn 18:33). Jesus replies that his Kingdom is not of this world. (HM-3)
  4. Jesus then points out his kingship is non-violent thus no threat to Rome:
    5. Jesus’ kingdom is no threat to Rome: “If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is my kingdom is not here” (Jn 18:36). (HM-4)
  5. Pilate realizes Jesus is innocent:
    6. After examining Jesus, Pilate realized that Jesus was innocent of everything but being hated by the high priest. Pilate said to the Jews: “I find no guilt in this man” (Lk 23:4). But they kept on insisting, saying: “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place” (Lk 23:5). (HM-5)
  6. Jesus is sent to Herod:
    7. When Pilate heard that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time (Lk 23:6-7). Jesus was taken to Herod Wednesday afternoon. Herod was delighted to see Jesus. He interrogated Jesus at length trying to get him to work a miracle, but he even failed to get Jesus to respond to his questioning (Lk 23:8-9). The chief priests and the scribes were accusing him vehemently. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. Herod then had the soldiers dress Jesus in a gorgeous robe and take him back to Pilate (Lk 23:11) Wednesday evening. (HM-6)
  7. He is innocent therefore I will punish him and release him:
    8. The following morning, Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people: He tells them: “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined him before you, I have found no guilt in this man; regarding the charges which you make against him. No, nor has Herod, for he sent him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him. Therefore, I will punish him and release him” (Lk 23:13-16). Pilate is interrupted by a messenger with a message from his wife: “Have nothing to do with the holy man for I have suffered much over him today in a dream” (Mt 27:19). (HM-7)
  8. Jesus receives 124 blows to mark his entire body:
    9. Pilate informed the soldiers that they should not kill Jesus because he wanted to release him Friday. Jesus was scourged Thursday afternoon by two men each using a flagellum. The lead balls on the leather strips were made to bruise and at the same time to tear the skin. While Jewish law restricted the number of blows in a scourging to 39 (Deut 25:3), Roman law had no such restriction. The objective of the soldiers was to mark his entire body below his head. It took 124 blows with a three strap flagellum. (HM-8)
  9. Jesus spends the night in a cistern:
    10. After the scourging, Jesus was likely placed in a dry cistern 12 to 15 ft. deep with smooth sides. Jesus was lowered into the cistern with a rope looped around his chest and pulled up to his arm pits. The cistern had no sewage facilities causing Jesus to spend the night standing in sewage with the other criminals. (HM-9)
  10. The High Priest realizes Pilate will attempt to release Jesus:
    11. When, on Thursday evening, the temple officials were summoned by Pilate to appear the first thing Friday morning, the high priest realized that Pilate would attempt to release Jesus to the crowds on Friday. So, the high priest ordered everyone to pass the word to be at the praetorium in the morning and that the priests wanted [Jesus] Barabbas released (Mk 15:12). They didn’t even need to mention Jesus the Nazarene.  (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Crowning with Thorns

Our Father
  1. Jesus is taken to the morning briefing:
    2. Jesus was scheduled by Pilate to be brought out the first thing Friday morning, so he could affect his release. He was taken from the prison (cistern) before the morning briefing. It was at this briefing early Friday morning that the soldiers decided to have fun at the expense of the "King of the Jews." (HM-1)
  2. Jesus was crowned with thorns (Mt 27:29):
    3. The soldiers formed a crude crown from thorns of the Christ Thorn Jujube. It was more like a cap but with thorns approximately 1 to 3 inches long (25 to 76 mm). They put a purple robe on him and forced the crown down onto on Jesus’ head. In his bound hands, they place a reed, as a scepter, in mockery of his kingship. Kneeling before him in derision, they spit on him (Is 50:6), and cry out: "Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mk 15:18). (HM-2)
  3. The thorns pierce major nerves going into the brain:
    4. The cap of thorns digs into the trigeminal nerve. [The trigeminal nerve carries facial pain sensation to the brain: think exposed nerve. It was like a root canal without anesthetic]. The crown’s thorns also pierced the greater occipital nerves (causing extreme headaches) especially as he was struck with reeds. All this pain contributed to the ongoing traumatic shock. The wounds from the thorns were still leaking blood when Jesus died 8 hours later. That would indicate that the thorns were continually being pushed into the nerves as He turned his head or leaned back while on the cross; keeping the wounds from closing. (HM-3)
  4. Prisoner torture was a routine practice:
    5. The soldiers incurred what was thought to be a minimal risk in torturing Jesus. The soldiers could torture any prisoner; with the exception that if the prisoner was condemned to death he had to be alive to be executed.  (HM-4)
  5. Jesus was then taken to Pilate at the appointed time:
    6. Pilate’s strategy to release Jesus is to satisfy the envy of the priests and scribes by showing them a beaten and humiliated man while at the same time obtaining the sympathy of the crowd. (HM-5)
  6. Behold the Man:
    7. Pilate, moved at the sight of Jesus, said to the crowd: “Behold the Man”, an unintentional quote from Zechariah (Zech 6:12) (Jn 19:5). (HM-6)
  7. Pilate enflames the hatred for Jesus:
    8. Pilate is looking to elicit sympathy for Jesus and to satisfy the blood lust of the scribes and priests, but Pilate unknowingly called Jesus the Messiah. Instead of getting sympathy, Pilate enflamed the hatred of the scribes and priests. (HM-7)
  8. Pilate tries to release Jesus:
    9. Pilate then offered to release Jesus as the customary prisoner released during the festival. However, the crowd was primarily temple sympathizers, organized by the priests. Led by the scribes and priests, the crowd did as they were instructed and screamed for [Jesus] Barabbas. (HM-8)
  9. Pilate asks: “Then what shall I do with Jesus?” (Mk 15:12):
    10. Pilate still wanted to release Jesus, so he said: “Then what shall I do with Jesus?” To this the crowds yelled: “Crucify him.” So, Pilate said: “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him.” (Jn 19:6). A chief priest answered Pilate: “We have a law and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God.” [2]  That scared Pilate, so he asked Jesus: “Where are you from?” But Jesus didn’t answer so Pilate said: “You will not speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the power to release you, and the power to crucify you?” Then Jesus responded: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above; therefore, he who delivered me to you has the greater sin” (Jn 19:7-11). (HM-9)
  10. Pilate washed his hands:
    11. Pilate sought to release Jesus, but the chief priest cried out: “If you release him you are no friend of Caesar because He claims to be king and we have no king but Caesar” (Jn 19:12). Pilate in frustration sat down on the judgment seat (Jn 19:13). When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, still worse he was starting a riot, he washed his hands in front of the crowd saying: “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” All the people said: “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Lk 23:24-26). So, Jesus was led off to be crucified.(Mk 15:20) (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Carrying the Cross

Our Father
  1. The soldiers need to keep Jesus alive:
    2. The scourging that was the “normal part of crucifixion” occurred just prior to carrying the cross piece (patibulum). Jesus however has already been scourged and the soldiers now have a vested interest in keeping Jesus alive. (HM-1)
  2. Jesus is led off to be crucified: (Mk 15:20):
    3. They placed the patibulum on Jesus shoulders, weighing between 50 and 75 lbs. (22 and 34 kg). (HM-2)
  3. Jesus meets the weeping women:
    4. Jesus meets the weeping women (probably including his mother) and says: ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Happy are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains: “Fall on us”; and to the hills: “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’ (Lk 23:26-31).  (HM-3)
  4. Mary sees her son; beaten and bloody:
    5. The anguish felt at seeing a loved one suffer when there is nothing that can be done to alleviate the pain is incredible. Mary sees Jesus’ physical suffering and Jesus sees Mary’s anguish. (HM-4)
  5. Jesus falls under the weight of the patibulum:
    6. The bruises on Jesus’ knee, and the skin scraped off his nose show that he fell once under the weight of the patibulum. Falling with his arms tied to the patibulum insured that He would land on his face. Jesus’ face is now covered with dirt, mud, blood, sweat and spittle.   (HM-5)
  6. The cross is removed from Jesus’ back:
    7. Cutting the ropes to remove Jesus from the cross-piece, meant Jesus’ hands would be nailed to the cross when He got to the place of execution (the rope pieces are now too short to re-tie). (HM-6)
  7. Bernice, Veronica, wipes Jesus’ face with her veil:
    8. Bernice, the woman who had the hemorrhage cured by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, steps forward and wipes Jesus’ face. Tradition calls her Veronica but that is just Latin for “true image” which is what the soldiers, who saw it, reported to Pilate. There was a “true image” of the man’s face on her veil. (HM-7)
  8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus:
    9. That the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry his cross indicates the level of concern. They feared that Jesus may die before being crucified. (Mt 27:32, Mk 15:21, Lk 23:26). The patibulum rubbing the open wounds on the shoulder now begins to tear the shoulder muscle, compounding the damage to the shoulders caused by the scourging and the patibulum falling on Jesus.  (HM-8)
  9. Jesus is inflicted with his greatest pain:
    10. When Padre Pio was asked in 1947 by Karol Wojtyla [Woytila], St John Paul II, which of Jesus’ wounds hurt the most he responded without hesitation: “The wound in the shoulder from carrying the cross.” (HM-9)
  10. The placard is nailed to the cross:
    11. The placard (Titulus) that Pilate had had written, which would be placed on the cross, was carried in front of the condemned as he carried the cross piece (Jn 19:19-20). It announced the crime for which the prisoner was being punished. It read: "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews". Nazareth is the Hebrew word for “Branch town". Thus, it can be read: "Jesus the Branch, King of the Jews" reminding us again of Zechariah’s “Behold the man whose name is Branch” (Zech 6:12)! In the Latin the initialism, INRI, is what is shown on our crucifixes. In Hebrew it is an acronym, YHVH, which is the name of Yahweh and can also be read as “Behold the hand, behold the nail”. [3]  (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Crucifixion

Our Father
  1. Jesus is stripped of his garments:
    2. Criminals were crucified naked to increase their shame, degradation, and vulnerability. The soldiers stripped Jesus of his garments and divided them between themselves. Jesus’ tunic was woven without seam, making it valuable, so they cast lots for it (Ps 22:18; Mt 27:36; Mk 15:24; Lk 23:34; Jn 19:23-24). A tunic woven without seam is what Moses prescribed to be worn by the high priest as he ascended the altar to offer sacrifice (Ex 28:31-32).  (HM-1)
  2. Jesus is crucified:
    3. The upright portion of the cross was permanently fixed into the ground, so it could be reused and would be stable. There was a notch in the upright into which a corresponding notch in the patibulum would be placed and the two pieces securely held together with a rope. The height of the cross was fixed, and Jesus was 6 inches (152 mm) too tall and his arms were too long. To compensate they stretched his arms as far as possible before nailing him to the patibulum. A 7 inch (178 mm) nail was driven into each of his hands at an angle so that it entered low on his palm and exited on the back of his wrist. The nails so driven through each hand into the cross will damage the sensory branches of the median nerve resulting in one of the most exquisite pains ever experienced: known medically as causalgia. The four soldiers lifted the patibulum and set it onto the notch in the upright. Jesus’ head and body bumps against the upright as they secure the patibulum, driving the thorns deep into the occipital nerves while forcing the movement (twisting) of the thorn in the trigeminal nerve. Jesus cannot hold himself up for more than a few seconds with the torn muscle, his arms stretched out almost horizontal, and nerve damage in his shoulders. The full weight of his body on the weakened shoulders dislocates the shoulders, his head bumps hard again as his shoulders dislocate and his body drops, leaving his arms at a 70-degree angle from vertical. Once the soldiers have secured the patibulum to the upright, the solders then lift his legs and place his feet against the upright. A single nail is driven through both of his feet. The hours on the cross, with pressure of the weight of the body on the nails through the hands and feet cause episodes of excruciating agony every time Jesus moves. The excruciating headaches are exacerbated every time the back of his head touches the cross driving the thorns still further into the occipital and trigeminal nerves. The unrelenting pains of the chest wall from the scourging are felt with every breath He inhales and the strain on the torn shoulder muscle and the dislocated shoulders sends searing pain every time he moves or tries to lift himself. The combination of pain is more than a human body can bear so the body continues to respond with ever deepening traumatic shock. Jesus was on the cross somewhere between 3 and 6 hours. He is nailed to the cross at the same time the Paschal lamb is tied to the altar in the temple. The Lamb of God is nailed to the altar on which He will be sacrificed. (HM-2)
  3. Jesus forgives his executioners:
    4. The first thing Jesus did from the cross was to forgive those who were crucifying him: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34). Sin unknowingly committed carries the least guilt. Jesus has already forgiven them and now he is begging his Father to also forgive! (HM-3)
  4. Jesus is taunted by scribes, priests, and one of the criminals but supported by the good thief:
    5. During that time on the cross Jesus was taunted by the scribes, priests and by Gestus, one of the criminals who was also crucified, saying: “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” (Lk 23:39). The other criminal, Dismas, rebuked Gestus, saying: “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And then Dismas said: “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” Jesus responded: "This day you will be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:40-43). (HM-4)
  5. Jesus gives his mother to us:
    6. As Jesus was nearing the end, He took care of his mother saying: "Woman, behold your Son. Son behold your Mother" (Jn 19: 26-27). That is one of the more powerful arguments that Jesus was an only child. For what child, would entrust his mother to someone else’s care if he had siblings. That would be an incredible insult to his siblings! Jesus’ use of the word “woman” is to let it be known that his reference to his mother is also in her role as the new Eve, the mother of the human-race. He gives his mother to all of us and He gives us to his mother.  (HM-5)
  6. Jesus brings our focus back to the Last Supper’s Todah Sacrifice:
    7. When Jesus said on the cross "Eli, Eli lema Sabachthani" (Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34); He was naming a traditional prayer that we know today as Psalm 22. Jesus was not calling out “My God, My God why have you forsaken me.” Psalm 22 describes exactly what has just happened: “All who see me mock me saying: ‘He trusted in the Lord; let the Lord deliver him’… all my bones are out of joint… dogs are round about me… they have pierced my hands and feet… they stare and gloat over me… they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots…”; and yet the prayer ends triumphantly with David proclaiming deliverance: “And I [David] will live for the Lord; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought” (Ps 22:28-32). Deliverance, by means of a crucifixion, is to be proclaimed to all generations! The psalm has described the anticipated deliverance that is referred to in the Eucharistic (Todah) sacrifice during the Last Supper at which Jesus has introduced the New Covenant in his blood! Jesus now has us focused. With just four words, “Eli, Eli lema Sabachthani”, He has taken us with him back to the Last Supper and the New Covenant. Now He will finish the Last Supper! He is about to provide the deliverance for which we are giving thanks in the Todah!  (HM-6)
  7. Jesus finishes the Last Supper:
    8. When Jesus left the last supper, He had not finished the Seder meal. He left out the 4th cup: the “Cup of Acceptance” (Mt 26) and the Nirtzah. When He prayed in the garden "Father, if it be possible, take this cup from me"(Mt 26:39, Lk 22:42), and when He said to Peter: “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (Jn 18:11); He was referring to the 4th cup which He had not yet drunk. Jesus knowing that everything had now been completed, in order to completely fulfill the scriptures said: "I thirst" (Jn 19:28). They held up a hyssop branch to which was attached a sponge that had been dipped in a mixture of vinegar (sour wine) and wine (Jn 19:29). (Hyssop was used on Passover to put the blood of the lamb, the means of deliverance, on the lintel and doorposts (Ex 12:22).) Jesus drank the wine, the 4th cup, from the hyssop branch; and said: "It is finished" (Jn 19:30). "It is finished" is both the Nirtzah that ends the Seder meal and is also what the priest says when he has struck the sacrificial lamb the killing blow. Jesus is both Priest and victim! He finished the Last Supper on the cross: tying together the Essene’s “un-bloody” Seder celebration (the Todah as dress rehearsal for the Eucharist: an un-bloody sacrifice) with the Temple Passover celebration (the animal sacrifice as the dress rehearsal for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.) The Kingdom of God has arrived, Jesus is finished (Mt 26:29, Mk 14:25, Lk 22:18)! (HM-7)
  8. Jesus dies:
    9. Jesus said: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." (Ps 31:5, Lk 23:46) and died as the Passover victim, at the same time, that the priests began sacrificing the Paschal lambs (Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34, Lk 23:44). The Lamb selected as the offering for the people on Lamb Selection Day was always the first lamb sacrificed. By the time Jesus died, it had been unnaturally dark for 3 hours (Mk 15:33) and as He died the earth quaked. The centurion cried out “This truly was the Son of God” (Mk 15:39). The curtain that separates the Holy of Holy's from the rest of the Temple was torn from top to bottom: profaning the Temple (Mk 15:38). Only the high priest could venture into the Holy of Holies and then only on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. When an Israelite expressed extreme sorrow, he tore his garment from top to bottom. Caiaphas tore his garment when he heard Jesus admit to being the Son of God. God himself tore his garment, expressing his extreme sorrow, when his son Jesus died on the cross! (HM-8)
  9. Jesus is taken down from the cross and his side is pierced while lying in his mother’s arms:
    10. After Jesus died at 3 pm his face was immediately covered with the sudarium. Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to obtain his body (Mk 15:43) and Pilate, surprised that He could have already died, sent for the centurion to be sure that Jesus was dead (Mk 15:44). Once assured, he then gave Joseph permission to remove the body from the cross. His body was placed in the arms of his mother. Mary immediately covered Jesus and then held him for about an hour while Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemas left to get burial linen and spices. Pilate then instructed a centurion to break the legs of those who were crucified. When the soldier, the centurion Longinus, came to Jesus, He was lying in the arms of his mother, with his face covered, his body rhythmically moving as Mary breathed. Longinus could not tell if Jesus was dead or alive. To follow his orders, rather than break Jesus’ legs (which would not be lethal to a man already removed from the cross) Longinus stabbed Jesus in his side and into his heart to ensure that Jesus was dead.  (HM-9)
  10. Jesus is buried:
    11. John along with Joseph of Arimathea, Mary, Nicodemas, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome (Mk 15:40), the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Mt 27:56), and Joanna the wife of Chuza carefully, lovingly washed the dirt, sweat, spit, and blood (that was not life blood) from Jesus’ body to prepare him for burial. His feet were placed at the bottom of the 14-foot-long shroud and the linen was then folded over his head, taken down the front of his body, back under his feet and tied to his body with a single strip of cloth at the ankles, then looped around his knees, waist, and neck before being tied back to itself.  (HM-10, GB, OMJ)


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The Glorious Mysteries

Resurrection

Our Father
  1. The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb on the evening of Good Friday. His soul descends into the realm of the dead, Sheol (limbo), to announce to the just the tidings of their redemption. (HM-1)
  2. Jesus’ body was not in the tomb more than 40 hours as the Shroud shows that putrefaction had not set in. Tradition holds that Jesus died at 3pm on Friday and rose at 3am on Sunday (36 hours later). (HM-2)
  3. At the moment of the resurrection, the earth quakes as the angel rolls back the stone. The guards flee. (HM-3)
  4. The priest paid the guards: “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” (Mt 28:13). (HM-4)
  5. The fact of the resurrection is preserved on the shroud. The researchers that studied the shroud speculated that the image on the shroud was formed by a burst of high frequency light. In 2012 it was finally demonstrated how the image may have been formed on the shroud. (HM-5)
  6. Tradition holds that Jesus first appeared to his mother, Mary, right after the resurrection; sharing first with her the glory of the resurrection as she had shared with him the passion and shame of the cross. (HM-6)
  7. Jesus joins Cleopas and Luke on the road and explains the scriptures to them. (HM-7)
  8. They recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:31). (HM-8)
  9. He opened the minds of the apostles and disciples to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, (Lev 23:4-14) and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Lk 24:46) (HM-9)
  10. With his resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits (1Cor 15:20). (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Ascension

Our Father
  1. Jesus first ascended into heaven on the day of his Resurrection, Sunday. Jesus said to Mary Magdalene don’t hold on to me, I have not yet ascended to the Father (Jn 20:17). (HM-1)
  2. Jesus returned to earth and repeatedly appeared to the apostles and others for forty days after his Resurrection to prove He has truly risen from the dead and to prepare the apostles for their ministry. (HM-2)
  3. Jesus institutes the sacrament of Reconciliation when he says to them “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:23). (HM-3)
  4. Jesus invites Thomas to put his hand in Jesus’ side and his finger into the nail marks. Thomas exclaims “My Lord and my God.” (Jn 20:28). Jesus responded: “Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed” (Jn 20:29). (HM-4)
  5. He commissions the apostles to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth (Mk 16:15) and promises to be with them forever (Mt 28:20). (HM-5)
  6. Those 40 days must have been bitter sweet for Mary. On the one hand, she knew the glory that awaited her son in heaven. She knew that the ascension was a required part of our salvation, but she also knew that it meant separation from Jesus.  (HM-6)
  7. Jesus had to leave us so that we would begin to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (Jn 16:7). (HM-7)
  8. John ends with a reference to Jesus as the word, the Torah. He tells of the fishing trip for which Jesus provides the same number of fish as there are sedarim (verses) in the Torah.(Jn 21:1-14)  (HM-8)
  9. Before Jesus ascends He asks Peter three times if he loves him since Peter denied him three times. (HM-9)
  10. On the fortieth day after the resurrection, Jesus proceeds to Mt. Olivet, the Mount of Olives, accompanied by his Mother and the apostles and disciples. Extending his pierced hands over all in a last blessing, He ascends into heaven. As He ascends a cloud takes him from their sight (Acts 1:9-10).  (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Descent of the Holy Spirit

Our Father
  1. The apostles are gathered in the upper room where Jesus had held the Last Supper (Acts 2:1). They are praying with Mary the Mother of Jesus. (HM-1)
  2. A sound comes from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it fills the whole house (Acts 2:2). The Holy Spirit descends on each of them in the form of tongues of fire (Acts 2:3). (HM-2)
  3. Filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, (wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of offending the Lord (Is 11:2)) they are enlightened and strengthened to spread the gospel. Having lost all fear of the Jewish leaders, the apostles boldly preach Christ crucified.  (HM-3)
  4. It was the Feast of Pentecost, a convocation, a dress rehearsal, when all Israelite men were to go to Jerusalem. There were, in Jerusalem for the convocation, devout men from every nation under heaven (Acts 2:5).  (HM-4)
  5. It was the Holy Spirit that provided the noise that caused the crowd to form in the first place. It was the Holy Spirit that prompted those people to investigate the noise. It was the Holy Spirit that enabled each man to hear what the apostles were saying in his native tongue.  (HM-5)
  6. The Holy Spirit also opened the hearts of the people to accept the message of the crucified Christ. (HM-6)
  7. That day Peter goes forth to preach and baptizes three thousand (Acts 2:41). (HM-7)
  8. The Holy Spirit comes gently and makes himself known as He approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well. (HM-8)
  9. That year the Feast of Pentecost was not a dress rehearsal. It was God the Holy Spirit descending amid noise and tongues of fire to formalize the new covenant written in our hearts (Jer 31:33, Heb 10:16).  (HM-9)
  10. The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day the new covenant is ratified by the Holy Spirit. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Assumption

Our Father
  1. The Blessed Mother goes to live with John, the beloved disciple. (HM-1)
  2. Mary lives many years on earth after the death of Jesus. Tradition held that all the apostles except Thomas were present when she was thought to have died.  (HM-2)
  3. Mary is wholly overcome in a rapture of divine love. She is thought to be dead, so she is placed in a tomb. (HM-3)
  4. On the third day after her burial the apostles go to the tomb and, at the request of St. Thomas, open the tomb to find only fragrant lilies. Jesus does not permit the sinless body of his Mother to decay in the grave.  (HM-4)
  5. The belief in the Assumption of Mary flows from the belief in her Immaculate Conception: if Mary was preserved from sin by the free gift of God, she would not be bound to experience the consequences of sin (death) in the same way we do. (HM-5)
  6. It seems impossible to think of Mary, the one who conceived Christ, brought him forth, nursed him with her milk, held him in her arms, and clasped him to her breast, as being apart from him in body, even though not in soul, after this earthly life. (HM-6)
  7. Since our Redeemer is the Son of Mary, He could not do otherwise, as the perfect observer of God's law, than to honor, not only his eternal Father, but also his most beloved Mother. And, since it was within his power to grant her this great honor, to preserve her from the corruption of the tomb, we must believe that He really acted in this way. (HM-7)
  8. The Virgin Mary has been designated by the holy Fathers as the new Eve, who, although subject to the new Adam, is most intimately associated with him in that struggle against the infernal foe which, as foretold in the protoevangelium (Gen 3:15), would finally result in that most complete victory over sin and death. (HM-8)
  9. “The Blessed Virgin Mary did not die; she ascended to Heaven with her body and soul" was the message from Our Lady given to five-year-old Gilles Bouhours to be taken and given only to Pope Pius XII during a special private audience May 15th, 1950 exactly three months prior to Pius XII issuing the dogma of the Assumption. (HM-9)
  10. In Medjugorje, on Monday, October 12th 1981, Mary responded to a question; "Did you go to Heaven before or after death?" By saying "I went to heaven before death." Further at the beginning of August of 1984, Mary told Jelena: "Prepare the second millennium of my birth which will take place August 5th, 1984. If Mary had died it would not have been her 2000th birthday as birthdays stop being counted at death. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

Coronation

Our Father
  1. Throughout the history of the Davidic monarchy none of the kings were monogamous. As a result, none of the wives carried the title of Queen. (HM-1)
  2. It was the mother of the king who was the most influential female in the king’s life and the mother had a throne at the right hand of the king (1Kng 2:19). She was the Queen. It is fitting then that Mary assumes her place as Queen since she is the mother of Christ the King. (HM-2)
  3. As “Theotokos” (God Bearer) Mary has participated in the Divine life of God in a way far exceeding that which anyone else can do. We are all called to participate in the Divine but there is only one God Bearer. (HM-3)
  4. Mary is sinless, the created Immaculate Conception, the spouse of the Holy Spirit, the site of the Incarnation, the Theotokos, the Mother of the Son of God, the Ark of the Covenant, the Mediatrix of all grace and by her own words to Mirjana Soldo: “The first Tabernacle”. (HM-4)
  5. Mary shares so fully in the glory of Christ because she shared so fully in his suffering. Her sharing in Jesus’ suffering was so complete she also has asked to be given the title of Co-Redemptorix. (HM-5)
  6. As Mary enters heaven, the entire court of heaven greets with joy this masterpiece of God's creation. More than we can ever know the hearts of Jesus and Mary overflow with joy at this reunion.  (HM-6)
  7. Mary is crowned by her divine Son as Queen of Heaven and Earth. (HM-7)
  8. In the Book of Revelations, John says he sees the Ark of the Covenant and then describes the great sign in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun with the moon at her feet and on her head a crown of 12 stars [4]  (Rev 11:19-12:1). (HM-8)
  9. Only in heaven will we know the great majesty of that coronation, and the joy it gave to the angels and saints. Even the angels, who by nature are greater than humans, hail Mary as their queen. Only in heaven will we see how central the role of Mary is in the divine plan of redemption. (HM-9)
  10. The angels and saints longed for the coming of her whose heel crushes the head of the serpent. Mary pleads our cause as a most powerful queen and a most merciful and loving mother. (HM-10, GB, OMJ)

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FOOTNOTES
[1] December 9th was also the date Mary chose to begin the apparitions under the name of our Lady of Guadalupe.
[2] In 42 BC, Julius Caesar was formally deified as "the divine Julius" (divus Iulius) after his assassination. His adopted son, Octavian (better known as Augustus, a title given to him 15 years later, in 27 BC) thus became known as divi Iuli filius (son of the divine Julius) or simply divi filius (son of the god).
[3] Dr. Kenneth Stevenson: NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood Sprinkling
[4] The described sign made up of the constellation Virgo, with the moon at her feet, the sun shining through her dress, and crowned with the nine stars in the constellation Leo along with the planets Venus, Mercury, and Mars was in the sky over Jerusalem on 2017/09/23 at from 1 to 4pm.
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