Mysteria Vitae Christi Domini Nostri

Mysteria Vitae Christi Domini Nostri

The life of Christ. N. The mysteries of Jesus Christ. It should be noted first that all the words of the following mysteries, which are included in parentheses, are drawn from the Gospels, not the others. In each mystery, three points should always be made, or at least almost always, to make contemplation easier and clearer. On the Annunciation. Of the Virgin Mary. Of the Incarnation of Christ, as mentioned by Luke. 1. First, how the Angel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin the conception of the divine Word: (The Angel entered to her and said: Hail, full of grace, etc.) Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and you will bear a Son, etc.) Secondly, the Angel confirms what he had foretold, by bringing an example from the admirable conception of Saint John the Baptist: (And behold, your cousin Elizabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age, etc.) Thirdly, the holy Virgin responded to the Angel: (Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.) . Regarding Mary visiting her relative Elisabeth, as is recorded in Luke. 1. First, how Mary visited Elisabeth, and Saint John, still in the womb, sensed Mary's greeting and leaped: (When Elisabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud voice, saying: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.) Second, the blessed Virgin burst forth in this song of joy: (My soul magnifies the Lord, etc.) Third, (Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her own home.) . De Christi Nativitate. Luc. 2. Primo, beata Maria cum Joseph sponso suo e Nazareth proficiscitur Bethlehem: (Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilaea, etc. in Bethlehem, etc. , ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore praegnante.) Secundo, (Peperit Filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in praesepio.) Tertio, eo tempore (Facta est cum Angelo multitudo militiae coelestis, laudantium Deum, et dicentium: Gloria in altissimis Deo, etc.) . On the Shepherds. Luke. 2. First, the birth of Christ is revealed to the shepherds by the angel: (I bring you good news of great joy, etc.; For today a Savior is born for you, etc.) Second, the shepherds hurry to Bethlehem: (And they came in haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger.) Third, (And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, etc.) . On the Circumcision. Luke. 2. First, the Child was circumcised. Second, His name was called Jesus, which was given by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb. Third, the Child was presented to His Mother, who shared in the sorrow of His bloodshed. On the Three Wise Kings. Matthew. 2. First, three kings came to worship the child Jesus, guided by a star, testifying: "For we saw his star in the East, and we have come to worship him."^✦ Second, they fell down and worshiped him, and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.^✦ Third, having received a warning in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.^✦ . On the Purification. Of the Presentation of the Virgin and the Child Jesus. Luke. 2. First, they brought the Child to the Temple to present him to God as the firstborn, offering the customary sacrifice for him: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Second, Simeon came into the Temple at that moment; he took him in his arms, blessed God, and said: "Now you can let your servant go in peace, Lord, as you have promised..." Third, Anna, coming up at that very moment, began to give thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. . On the Flight into Egypt. Matthew. 2. First, Herod, wanting to kill the child Jesus, ordered the innocent children to be killed, after being warned by an angel to Joseph to flee to Egypt: (Get up and take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt.) Second, Joseph set out for Egypt that night (Who arose at night, etc.). He withdrew into Egypt. Third, (And he was there until the death of Herod.) . On the return from Egypt. Matthew. 2. First, Joseph is warned by an angel to return to the land of Israel. (Get up and take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel.) Second, (He arose, etc. He came to the land of Israel.) Third, because Archelaus, the son of Herod, was reigning in Judea, he withdrew to Nazareth. About the life of the Lord from the twelfth year of His age until the thirtieth. Luke. 2. First, how He was subject and obedient to His parents. Secondly, He grew in wisdom, age, and grace, etc. Thirdly, He seems to have practiced a craftsman's trade, as St. Mark says. 6. (Isn't this the carpenter?) . About the Ascension into the Temple in the twelfth year. Luke. 2. First, when Jesus was twelve years old, he went from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Second, he stayed there without his parents knowing. Third, after three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, and he answered them who asked about the reason for his delay: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" . About His baptism. Matthew. 3. First, saying goodbye to His mother, He left Nazareth and went to the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. Second, He was baptized by John, who first excused himself due to his unworthiness, but was compelled by these words: "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness." Third, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and a voice from heaven testified, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." . On the Temptation of Christ. Luke. 4. And Matthew. 4. First, after His baptism, Christ withdrew into the desert, where He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Second, He was tempted three times by the enemy (The tempter came to Him and said: If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread). Throw yourself down. I will give you all these things if you fall down and worship me. Third, angels came and ministered to him. . On the Calling of the Apostles. First, they are seen as apostles. Peter and Andrew were called three times; first to a certain knowledge of Christ, according to John. 1. Then to a temporary following, with the intention of returning to fishing, according to Luke. 5. Lastly, to a permanent following, according to Matthew. 4. And he called Marc. 1. Secondly, he called the sons of Zebedee, Matthew. 4. And Philip, John. 1. And Matthew, Matthew. 9. Third, the others were called, even though there is no explicit mention of their calling or the order of their vocations in the Gospel. Three points need to be addressed here. First, consider how the Apostles were in a lowly condition. Second, think about the dignity to which they were called, and how gently they were invited. Third, they were elevated by grace's gifts above all the fathers of the Old Testament and the saints of the New. On the first miracle of Christ performed at a wedding. Joan. 2. First, Christ was invited to the wedding with his disciples. Second, the mother pointed out that the wine had run out. (They have no wine.) And he said to the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it." Third, the Lord turned water into wine (And he manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.). . About the first time He drove out the merchants from the Temple. John. 2. First, He drove out the sellers and buyers from the Temple, making a whip out of cords. Second, He poured out the money of the money changers and overturned their tables. Third, to those selling doves, He said, "Take these things away; do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise." . On the Sermon of Christ delivered on the Mount. Matthew. 5. First, Christ explained eight types of beatitudes to his beloved disciples. Blessed are the poor in spirit: the meek: those who mourn: those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: the merciful: the pure in heart: the peacemakers: those who are persecuted. Second, he encourages them to use the gifts or talents they have received wisely. (Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.) Third, he shows that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, explaining the commandments regarding avoiding murder, theft, fornication, perjury, and also about loving one’s enemies: (But I say to you, Love your enemies: Do good to those who hate you.) . About the Calming of the Storm at Sea. Matthew. 8. First, while Christ was still on the mountain, a violent storm arose on the sea while the disciples were in the boat. Second, the disciples, terrified, woke Him from sleep, and He rebuked them for their lack of faith, saying, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Third, He commanded the winds and the sea to be still, and immediately there was a great calm; amazed, the men said, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" . On Walking on the Waters. Matthew. 14. First, while Christ was still on the mountain, He instructed His disciples to get into the boat and leave, and after the crowd was dismissed, He went up on the mountain alone to pray. Second, when the boat was being tossed about at night, He came walking on the water, and the disciples, terrified, thought He was a ghost. Third, after He had said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid,' Saint Peter asked to come to Him, and as he walked on the water, he began to sink because of fear, which the Lord rebuked for his little faith; then He got into the boat, and the wind ceased. Regarding the missions to preach to the apostles. Matthew. 10. First, when Jesus called the disciples, he gave them the power to cast out demons from people and to heal every kind of disease. Second, he taught them wisdom and patience. (Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.) Therefore, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.) Third, he explains the manner of their mission: "Freely you have received; freely give." Do not possess gold or silver. This expresses the matter of preaching. (As you go, preach, saying: The Kingdom of Heaven has come near.) . On the Conversion of Mary Magdalene. Matthew. 7. First, while Jesus was reclining at the table in the house of a Pharisee, a woman who had lived a sinful life in that city (whether she was Mary Magdalene, the sister of Martha, or another) came in carrying an alabaster jar filled with perfume. Second, standing behind him at his feet, she began to wet his feet with her tears; then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Third, Jesus defended her against the Pharisee who criticized her, saying to him, "Her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who has been forgiven little loves little." And then he said to her, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." . On the Feeding of Five Thousand Men. Matthew. 14. First, the disciples asked Jesus to dismiss the crowd that was standing around. Second, He commanded that the loaves they had be brought to Him, and after blessing them, He broke them and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowds. Third, they ate and were satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers were collected. On the Transfiguration of Christ. Matthew. 17. First, Jesus took his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John: (He was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.) Second, he spoke with Moses and Elijah. Third, when Peter asked that three tents be made there, a voice came from the cloud saying, (This is my beloved Son, etc.) The disciples were terrified and fell on their faces, and Jesus touched them and said: (Get up and do not be afraid, etc.) Do not tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.) . On the Raising of Lazarus. John. 11. First, after hearing the news about Lazarus's illness, Christ waited two days so that the miracle would be more evident. Second, before raising the dead man, He stirred the faith of both sisters: "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if they die, will live." Third, weeping and having prayed first, He raised him. It was, however, by command that He raised him: "Lazarus, come out!" . About the Supper at Bethany. Matthew. 26. First, Jesus was dining in the house of Simon the leper, and Lazarus was there too. Second, Mary poured perfume on his head. Third, Judas murmured: (Why this waste?) Again, Jesus defended Mary: (Why are you bothering this woman?) For she has done a good deed for me.) . On the Day of Palms. Matthew. 21. First, the Lord commanded that a donkey and its colt be brought: (Untie them and bring them to me; and if anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.) Second, he sat on the donkey, which had been covered with the apostles' cloaks. Third, as the crowd came to meet him, they spread their cloaks on the road and cut branches from the trees, laying them on the road and shouting: (Hosanna to the Son of David.) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.) . On Preaching in the Temple. Luke. 19. First, he taught daily in the Temple. Second, after finishing his preaching in Bethany, he would return, with no one in Jerusalem receiving him. On the Last Supper. Matthew. 26. And John. 15. First, he ate the Passover lamb with his disciples, and warned them about his impending death: (Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.) Second, he washed their feet, including those of Judas, starting with Peter, who was opposing himself, looking at the majesty of Christ and his own unworthiness: (Lord, are you going to wash my feet?) , being unaware that he was being given an example of humility by the Lord, as he later declared: (For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.) Third, He instituted the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist as a sign of His greatest love, using these words: "Take, eat, etc." When the meal was finished, Judas went out to betray Him. About the mysteries that took place after the meal and in the garden. Matthew. 26. And Mark. 14. First, after the meal, and after singing a hymn, Christ went out to the Mount of Olives with his eleven disciples, filled with fear, and he instructed eight of them to remain in Gethsemane. (Sit here until I go over there and pray.) Second, taking three with him, Peter, James, and John, he prayed three times, saying, (My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will): and being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. Third, when he was overwhelmed with fear, he said: "My soul is very sad, even to death." He also sweated profusely, as Luke testifies: "His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground."^✦✦ From this, it can be inferred that his garments were already soaked with blood. On the Comprehension of Christ and His Transfer to the House of Annas. Matthew. 26. Luke. 22. Mark. 14. and John. 18. Primo, permisit se Dominus osculo a Juda tradi, et quasi latronem comprehendi: (Tamquam ad latronem existis cum gladiis, ac fustibus comprehendere me? Quotidie apud vos sedebam docens in Templo, et non me tenuistis) Ipsoque interrogante: (Quem quaeritis?) corruerunt in terram inimici omnes. Secundo, servum Pontificis percutienti Petro ait: (Mitte gladium tuum in vaginam) et sanavit servum. Tertio, captus, et a Discipulis relictus, ad Annae domum pertrahitur, ubi a Petro paulo post secuto, semel negatus est, et alapam accepit a ministro quodam objiciente: (Sic respondes Pontifici?) . About the events that took place later in the house of Caiaphas. Matthew. 26. First, Christ was taken bound by Anna to the house of Caiaphas, where Peter denied him twice, and when the Lord turned and looked at him, he went out and wept bitterly. Second, he remained bound the entire night. Third, those standing around him mocked him, tormented him, and struck him with blows to the face, asking, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is it that struck you?" And in other ways, they blasphemed him. On the Accusation of Christ Before Pilate. Matthew. 26. Luke. 23. Mark. 15. and John. First, Christ was sent to Pilate, and before him, he was falsely accused by the Jews. (We found this man subverting our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar.) Second, after examining him once and then again, Pilate reported: (I find no cause in him.) Third, the Jews declared that they preferred Barabbas the robber to the liberation of Christ Jesus: (Not this man, but Barabbas.) . . On the Sending of Christ to Herod. Luke. 23. First, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, thinking that he was from Galilee. Second, when Herod asked him many questions, he gave him no answer at all, even though he was being accused strongly by the Jews. Third, he was treated with contempt by Herod and his soldiers, and was dressed in a splendid robe. On the Return from Herod to Pilate. Matthew. 27. Luke. 23. Mark. 15. and John. 19. First, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and on that very day, they reconciled with each other, even though they had previously been enemies. Second, Pilate ordered Jesus to be scourged, and the soldiers crowned him with thorns and dressed him in purple; then, mocking him, they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their fists. Third, Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" But the chief priests shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" . On the Condemnation and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. John. 19. First, Pilate sat on the judgment seat and condemned Christ to be crucified, after the Jews denied that He was their King, saying: "We have no king but Caesar." Second, Christ carried His cross until a certain Simon of Cyrene was compelled to help Him carry it due to His physical weakness. Third, He was crucified between two thieves, with the inscription: "Jesus of Nazareth." King of the Jews.) . On the mysteries that took place on the cross. Matthew. 27. Luke. 23. John. 19. First, he endured blasphemies on the cross: (Ah, you who destroy the temple of God, etc. Come down from the cross; and his garments were divided. Secondly, the Lord spoke seven words on the cross: praying for those who were crucifying him, and being merciful to the thief! He commended his mother and John to each other, exclaiming (I thirst): when they gave him vinegar to drink; and then he said to the Father, 'I am forsaken': later he declared, 'It is finished': and finally, 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.' Thirdly, the sun was darkened as he breathed his last, and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened, and the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and his side was pierced by a lance, and water and blood flowed out. On the Mystery of the Burial. In the same place. First, the Lord was taken down from the cross by Joseph and Nicodemus, in the presence of his most afflicted Mother. Second, the anointed body was carried to the tomb and laid inside. Third, guards were placed there. On the Resurrection of Christ and the First Appearance. First, the Lord appeared to His Mother after He rose, as Scripture says, that He appeared to many. Although it does not name her explicitly, it nonetheless leaves us certain, as those who have understanding; lest otherwise we hear that: 'And still you are without understanding?' On the Second Apparition. Mark. 16. First, very early in the morning, Mary Magdalene, along with Mary the mother of James and Salome, went to the tomb, saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" Second, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, and the angels said to them, "You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified." He has risen; he is not here.) Third, he appeared to Mary Magdalene, who had remained near the tomb after the others had left. About the third appearance. Matthew. At last. First, the women went back from the tomb with both fear and great joy, to tell the disciples whatever they had understood about the Lord's resurrection. Second, as Christ appeared to them on the way, He said, "Greetings!" and they approached Him and fell at His feet, worshiping Him. Third, the Lord said to them, "Do not be afraid." "Go, tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." . On the fourth apparition. Luke. Last. First, after hearing about Christ's resurrection from the women, Peter ran to the tomb. Second, upon entering, he saw only the linen cloths in which the body had been wrapped. Third, while he was pondering these things, Christ appeared to Peter, which is why the Apostles said, 'The Lord has truly risen, and he has appeared to Simon.' . On the fifth appearance. There. First, He appeared to two disciples as they were going to Emmaus and were talking about Him. Second, He rebuked their unbelief and explained to them the mysteries of His Passion and Resurrection, saying, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer these things and then enter into His glory? Third, He stayed with them, and when He broke the bread, He vanished from their sight; they returned to Jerusalem and told the apostles how they had seen Him and recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. On the sixth apparition. Joan. 20. First, all the disciples were gathered at home except Thomas, because they were afraid of the Jews. Second, after entering through the locked doors, Christ stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' Third, He gave them the Holy Spirit and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit; if you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain them, they are retained.' . On the seventh appearance. There. First, Saint Thomas, because he was not present at the earlier appearance, declared: "Unless I see..." ...I will not believe." Second, after eight days, Christ appeared again with the doors closed and offered Himself to be seen, saying to Thomas: "Put your finger here and see..." ...and do not be unbelieving, but faithful." Third, Thomas exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!" To whom Christ replied: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." . Regarding the eighth apparition. John. Last. First, Christ revealed himself again to the seven disciples who had caught nothing all night, and at his command they cast their net, (and they were no longer able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.) Second, recognizing him through that miracle, John said to Peter: (It is the Lord) and immediately he jumped into the sea and went to Christ. Third, he gave them bread and fish to eat. Later, after asking Peter three times if he loved him, he entrusted his flock to him: (Feed my sheep.) . De Apparitione nona. Marc. ultimo. Primo, ex Domini mandato abeunt Discipuli ad montem Thabor. Secundo, iis apparens ille inquit: (Data est mihi omnis potestas in coelo, et in terra.) Tertio, mittens eos ad praedicandum per universum orbem sic mandavit: (Euntes ergo docete omnes gentes, baptizantes eos in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.) . On the tenth apparition. 1. The heart. 15. Then he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at once. On the eleventh apparition. In the same place. Then he appeared to James. On the twelfth apparition. It is also read in some hagiographies that Christ appeared to Joseph of Arimathea, and it seems likely, and is worthy of meditation. On the twelfth apparition. 1 Corinthians. 15. He appeared to blessed Paul after the Ascension. (Lastly, he was seen as if in a vision by all, and he said to me), He also appeared to the Fathers in Limbo, regarding the soul, and after they were brought out from there. Finally, after taking on his body, he appeared frequently to the disciples and was often with them. On the Ascension of Christ. Acts. 1. First, after He had shown Himself alive to His disciples for forty days, in many proofs, (In many arguments, etc. speaking to them about the Kingdom of God.) He sent them to Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Secondly, He led them to the Mount of Olives, (And while they were watching, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.) Thirdly, while they were gazing into heaven, it was said by two men in white robes standing by them, whom we believe to be angels: (Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven.^✦ .