Recently Added "Mysteries of Light"

On October 16th, 2002 - the 24th anniversary of his election - Pope John Paul II signed the apostolic letter Rosariu Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary), in which he suggested adding five new mysteries to the rosary. He also offers "the mysteries of light" new mysteries of Jesus' public life. He states: Certainly, the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the "light of the world" (John 8:12). Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of his public life, when he proclaims the gospel of the Kingdom. In proposing to the Christian community five significant moments - "luminous" mysteries - during this phase of Christ's life, I think that the following can be fittingly singled out: 1) his Baptism in the Jordan, 2) his self- manifestation at the wedding of Cana, 3) his proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion, 4) his Transfiguration and finally 5) his institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the pashcal mystery. Each of these mysteries is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus.

1. 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, the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son , while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out.

2. Cana Wedding Another mystery light is the first of the signs, given at Cana 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.

3. Proclamatiom of the Kingdom Another mystery of light is the preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust: 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.

4. Transfiguration 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" 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.

5. First Eucharist 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, for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice.

As published in the February 2003 St. Anthony Messenger