Glorious Mysteries & Today’s Gospel: Peter’s Deaths

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Gospel: Matt 13:1-9 – parable of the sower.

Resurrection: “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live; And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?” (Jn 11:25 – 26)

Pentecost: “They therefore that received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Peter bore much fruit, which was visible at Pentecost. The seed had fallen on good ground and so had multiplied. But Jesus had also said: “Amen, amen I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, Itself remaineth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal.”  (Jn 12:24-25) So Peter must have died to himself totally. This isn’t a one-off thing – Peter had died many times:

• And Peter began to say unto him: “Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee.” (Mk 10:28) – He had given up everything.
• Who turning, said to Peter: “Go behind me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.” (Matt 16:23) – Peter had his whole outlook publicly executed.
• Peter saith to him: “Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee.” (Matt 26:35) – At least in his desire, Peter was ready to give his life for Jesus
• And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly.(Matt 26:75) – And Peter died of humiliation and sorrow – he had come face to face with his own weakness.
• And this He said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had said this, He saith to him: “Follow Me.” (Jn 21:19) – Peter had been told the price of his faith in Jesus, and followed Him anyway.

We too must die EVERY DAY.

 

Glorious Mysteries

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Resurrection: ‘And the angel answering, said to the women: “Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.”‘ (Matt 28:5)

Apparently the women were looking in the wrong place – Jesus was not there – He had already risen.

But was it the wrong place? After all, they did see the angel, and then they did see Jesus. Today’s gospel (Matt 11:25-27) ‘At that time Jesus answered and said: “I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones.”‘ (Matt 11:25) – were not the women “little ones” following the promptings of their hearts in all simplicity. Where else could they go, if not to the tomb? Love prompted them to search for a Saviour Whose power to save was no more. The cycle of faith, believing in God’s power and love, leading us to hope in His mercy, and then leading us to love Him for Himself alone is now reversed to reach true mature virtue.

I think St. John of the Cross wrote somewhere that God does not like to perform miracles – He does not wish to force our wills to believe in Him. Did not Jesus say, “Happy are those who have not seen, yet believe.” (Jn 20:29) – and He was referring not just to our physical sense of sight. To obtain this happiness we all need to be scandalised in some way: Why does God not hear our prayers? Where is God? Eventually, the childish image of the God Who blesses His children with success and long life gives way to a more complex relationship. We find that we start with a little love – for God, ourselves and our fellow-man. We are driven to hope that somehow, all things will turn out well for us all. We refuse to let this hope become an idle fantasy, and it becomes the foundation for our thoughts, words and actions. We begin to have true faith: “Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not.” (Heb 11:1) – we believe in what we hope for, but cannot see (again, not just with our physical eyes, but with our feelings and all the other senses we rely on so much). In faith, we give ourselves up completely, we commit ourselves to the love of God which we hope for so much.

When all is dark, we search for the light that we remember, sometimes only vaguely.

We must do this in all aspects of our life: a relatioship that has grown cold? Where can we run to? We must run to the tomb, hoping against all hope that love will be resurrected. A life whose promise has disappeared? The person looking back at me in the mirror is not the person I hoped I could be? Should I flee in fantasy about what could have been? Should I try to find someone else to blame? Or simply run to the tomb – to the failure I see in front of me, to stand by myself and somehow try to love myself through it all, to stand in front of Jesus as I am, not searching for any consolation or miracles, just wanting to be with Him as I am – and just see what happens …

 

Sorrowful Mysteries

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Agony in the Garden: ‘Then he saith to them: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me.”‘ (Matt 26:38)

Jesus has nothing to give at this point – and now He asks us to stay with Him and be AWAKE – to be truly present to Him. How our values are perverse – we seek things to serve us and make us happy. Jesus shows us that our true eternal happiness consists in how much and how cheerfully we gave of ourselves to our neighbours. I must give myself completely in the service of others with no thought of reward: to relieve suffering sick people; to make a fresh start in a relationship that has grown stale; to make the first move to rebuild bridges with estranged friends or children, all the risking rejection and humiliation. Love, to be truly worthy of the word, is always a unilateral action – we should never have to wait for bilateral / multilateral agreements. Just give yourself up.

Scourging: ‘Jesus answered: “My kingdom is not of this world.”‘ (Jn 18:36)

Jesus does not promise success over our enemies in this life. For many of us the dream of the fantastic conversion and the total rejection of sin, all in an instant is just that – a stupid dream. Jesus asks us to follow Him through struggles to share His glory in the future. If miraculous conversions were the rule, the world would be full of Christians, all “loving God”, but no wonder, as He would already have made them totally successful – a bit of a one-sided relationship really. No, we must love Christ even when He sleeps in the stern of our boat.

Crowning with Thorns: ‘And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon him.’ (Mk 15:17)

This happens in our life. When we are “successful” for a while, i.e. when the devils allow us some peace and let our self-confidence grow, we promise great things to Christ, just like Peter, and we boldly proclaim the good news to our friends and families. Then it happens – all the while the devils have been preparing the crown of thorns – the crown of humiliations for us – they don’t have to climb on our backs, they simply have to start whispering in our ears again, and then we show what we really are, our SELF seeks its own delights and we betray Christ, our families, our ideals.

No matter, we should simply learn to love humiliations, the surest medicine to eradicate the disease of SELF. We can continue to be a warrior for Jesus – we just have to learn “on the floor” fighting fighting and grappling, and get used to crawling as fast as we can. In the end, we seek Christ’s glory, not our own.

Carrying the Cross: ‘And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.’ (Matt 27:32)

When Simon got the cross, what did he do? He did what we probably do –  we adjust it so that it is as comfortable as possible for US. How tall was Simon? How fast did he walk? Jesus probably was not able to walk at a constant speed – dd Simon make it his study to adjust his pace to Jesus’? Probably not, as in the “Way of the Cross” we know that Jesus fell at leat two more times, even with (or maybe because of) Simon’s “help.”

I need to study Jesus – to walk WITH Him, in harmony with Him. For a start, I can learn to stop complaining about things that don’t go my way, to stop sighing, stop tutting, stop swearing, stop worrying all the time.

Crucifixion: ‘And he said to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.”‘ (Luke 23:42)

The “good” thief. He wasn’t “good” – he had lived a life of robbing and beating people up. He was a repentant sinner. He had nothing to show the world of any greatness of his own – and yet he truly glorified Christ with this trust in His mercy. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich stated that Jesus’ enemies were enraged by this witness to Jesus’ Divinity given by the thief on Calvary, and that they increased his sufferings because of it.

As I said before, it isn’t about our glory – that will come. We have to learn to love, to hope and then to believe, to hold onto that hope and fight every moment accordingly. And the world will probably hate us, humiliate us and persecute us.

Glorious Mysteries

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Resurrection: “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live; And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?” (Jn 11:25 – 26)

Sometimes I fear truly giving up my old self and my old personality. I remember a Garfield comic strip where he rejected his self-improvement attempts because his cynicism and aggression gave his character a bit of colour. I fear this – I fear becoming a vacuum, I fear being boring with no desires for anything. And yet Jesus knows this. He wants us to die, truly. He wants us to trust Him with everything, with our character, our personality, He wants us to give it all up to Him. And we will not be dead forever, we will receive a resurrected personality, full of life – the same person as before, the same sense of humour etc., but with an intense interest in other people and their needs. The question is – do we believe this?

Ascension: “And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Mk 16:19)

Jesus sits at the right hand of God. A person’s right hand is usually the one he uses to do things and to reach out with. Jesus is now the “interface” between us and the Father.

Was God’s Nature changed in any way as a result of Jesus’ interaction with us? Did God the Son move from the Heart of the Father to His right hand? Was the Word of God spoken and so moved outside of the Father’s Heart to fill the universe? Jesus came from heaven without wounds, and now He bears them for eternity – just signs? or a real change? Can the Almighty allow Himself to be touched? But touched really, effecting a change?

Jesus is our Intercessor with the Father – when we approach Him are we careful or aware enough of the holy ground on which we stand? Are we aware of the things that we may bind in heaven or earth with our desires and requests? Should we not try to be more silent and to listen more?

Pentecost: “They therefore that received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Peter spoke and three thousand were added that day. Today’s gospel (Matt 13:1 – 23) tells of the different degrees of receiving the Word of God – some on the path, some on the rocks, some among thorns and some in good soil – “And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold.” (Matt 13:8) – Peter must have been good soil because he multiplied the gift three thousand times!

What does this say about my faith? Is the “thermometer” that simple? If it isn’t growing, then it isn’t alive? Is my faith DEAD? How many people have I brought to Jesus? How many people have I talked about Jesus with? How many people realise that Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me? Do I realise this?

How poor I am. But at least I can take consolation in the fact that Peter’s faith had to grow a lot first. Peter’s personality had to be destroyed first, he had to deny Christ in the judgement hall and reveal to all the world that he was a coward and weak. Only then could he undergo HIS resurrection to a new life, a new personality that fearlessly proclaimed the new life in Christ.

In that case, with trembling I pray to the Divine Physician, cut, cut, cut – spare nothing, destroy the cancer of self in me, so that I may be healed and live.

 

Joyful Mysteries

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Annunciation: “The Child will be holy, the Son of God”

Such a great blessing for Mary, to conceive and bear the Son of God – what preparation could She have had for this? What preparation can WE have for a similar grace? We pray for this and the answer is revealed in the following mysteries.

Visitation: “His mercy is from age to age for those who fear Him.”

God has mercy on those who respect and honour Him, those who do not insult Him by taking Him and His creation for granted. Even if we do not agree with someone who claims to speak in God’s Name, the very fact that he mentions matters concerning God makes us sit up and weigh the details carefully.

Nativity: “The angel host sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favour rests.'”

The blessings of God’s peace are given to those who love God and TRY to do His Will. We know that God stoops down to the humble, and holds the haughty far off. Maybe all we have to do is acknowledge our own weakness, and rather than despairing, allow this lack of ours to drive us closer to God as His needy children. Even an angry tired parent is disarmed by the sight of his child when they are hurt and asking for help.

Presentation: “After Mary and Joseph had done all that the law required, they returned to Their home town of Nazareth.”

After They had done ALL that God’s LAW required – God’s Will is given FIRST place. There can be no greater sign of respect or filial obedience than this – FIRST I fulfil the things for God, then I can have a rest or go about my business. In my mind, God should always occupy the pride of place.

Finding the Child Jesus in the temple: “Jesus went back with Them to Nazareth and lived under Their authority.”

Jesus lived in obedience for THIRTY years. I do not know how much of the details of Jesus’ life could be considered “normal” for His environment:

I assume that people in those days left home and married quite young; I also assume that larger families were the norm – SO …

Jesus was and only-child having to look after a widowed Mother.

Was He “obedient” to the necessities that life entailed? Did He work around the clock in His father’s carpentry shop to earn enough money, or leave enough pieces of work behind Him when He left home so that His Mother Mary would not have to be such a burden to Their wider family? Surely Jesus, as the model Son, would have done this to honour His Mother. Was Jesus’ leaving home to begin preaching dictated by the time it took Him to accumulate a “pension fund” for His Mother?

This is the ultimate model of obedience to God’s Will – to accept and live with the hand He had been dealt. Jesus lived with all the limitations of being a carpenter’s Son, and He worked and worked His way through life, and after many years, only then did He go forth to preach to the world.

 

This whole rosary shows us how we can try to get ready for God’s greater gifts – to live a humble life, to place God first, and to work and support the people closest to us.

 

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is Crucified

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Jesus, realising that everything was now finished, said to fulfil the scriptures, “I am thirsty.” There was a jar there, full of common wine. They stuck a sponge soaked in this wine on a stick, and raised it to His lips.

Jesus’ life had come to an end, and He drank whatever was at hand. At some point my life too will end, and I will have to offer Jesus whatever wine I have at hand. I need to practise each day praying and offering my time as I am and with what I have. Sometimes my condition is woefully sinful, and is woefully tempted, but right now this is the only thing I have, the only thing I am. Even if I am totally sure that right after this Rosary I am so sorely tempted right now, that straight after it, like many times before, I’m going to go off and indulge myself in my favourite temptation and probably commit a mortal sin, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT NOW. Don’t let the script of your life ruin the time you have set aside for Jesus NOW. Even if it feels like the most hypocritical prayer ever, because you’re itching to sin, pray it anyway, you never know, as this Rosary ends, the phone might ring, and the script, this time at least, will be different. Offer the wine you have right here and now to Jesus, and pray that He SAVES you and TRANSFORMS everything for you. My prayer is really all about what Jesus will do for me, the miracles He will work in me. I pray that the wine I give won’t be too bad after all.

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Carries the Cross

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Upon arriving at a site called Golgotha (a name which means “Skull Place”), they gave Him a drink of wine flavoured with gall, which He tasted but refused to drink.

Is my prayer a placebo for my conscience? A comforting ritual to heal myself of my guilt? A painkiller like gall to make my sinful condition more bearable? If so, like Jesus, I should refuse to drink it. As far as possible, no matter how sinful my condition, I should try to make every occasion of prayer a real attempt to stand before the face of Jesus and let Him look at me in all my brokenness. I should not try to mix my wine with any gall of excuses or explanations, but like Jesus stood silently before His accusers, I should stand silently before my Judge.

Third Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is Crowned with Thorns

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When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak, Pilate said to them, “Look at the Man!”

A man can be ridiculed when people call him names and make up stories about him, but here again there is a more painful way: People can tell the whole truth about him and say plainly what he is in truth, and then make a mockery of that. The soldiers took Jesus’ claims about Himself and held them up for ridicule: Jesus was the King of the Jews, the King of a Royal Race, the King of Kings, He was dressed in royal purple, and then held up for ridicule. At the start of His journey He was publicly scorned. “Behold the Man”: is this what it entails to be a true man? A truth-teller? Of necessity to be misunderstood and despised and ridiculed? Is the crown of thorns and the spittle in our face the necessary emblems we must acquire before we start our true journey to glory? If so, I pray I can have the courage to be a real man, to tell the truth always, no matter what the cost.

Second Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is Scourged

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Despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows.

A man can be despised when everyone hates him, but he can also be despised in another, perhaps more painful way, where everyone simply thinks nothing of him, where all his works and sacrifices are simply ignored and not worth mentioning or thinking about. An employee may bring the post in each morning to his manager, who does not even raise his head to look at him or say anything in acknowledgement. Do we treat Jesus like this? Is His sacrifice for us taken for granted and held as nought? Do we even try to think of Him seriously while we are praying these mysteries of the Rosary, or are we already thinking about what we hope to do when today’s “duty” is over?

First Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus’ Agony

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In His anguish, Jesus prayed more earnestly. An angel appeared to Him, coming from Heaven to give Him strength.

The angel did not come to console Jesus, but to strengthen Him to face His ordeal. Indeed, consolation was not possible for the angel, as Jesus’ pain was caused by the loss of souls who voluntarily cast themselves into hell. How could an angel possibly console Jesus? Could he say, “Don’t worry, a few stupid souls won’t matter … It’s their fault anyway … There are plenty more fish in the sea…”? Of course not – Jesus loves each soul with an infinite love. Only we can console Jesus, with our heartfelt contrition and a desire to repent and follow Him.