Meditations on the Glorious Mysteries

Prayer before the Rosary:

Let us unite with Jesus and Mary, accompanied by St. Joseph, as we participate in the Glorious Mysteries. In this Rosary let us pray, love, give thanks, and make reparation to God on behalf of ourselves and all souls, from Adam to the last man.

1.     The Resurrection of Christ

"‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said.’" Mark 1:10

On the third day our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead; conquering sin, death and the grave. Mistaking our Lord to be a gardener, Mary of Magdala, distraught, asked our Lord “"Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away”, since she supposed someone had stolen the body of Jesus. “Mary!” our Lord exclaimed, and recognising Him she shouted “Rabboni!” and embraced Him. Yet kindly rebuking her Jesus said: “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” It is thus that the Lord teaches us the urgency of the truth of the Resurrection. Help us therefore Lord, to make haste in proclaiming the message of the Resurrection. And in order to proclaim this great truth, we ask that the Joy of the Resurrection would shine forth on our faces. Allow us o Lord, to drown all the world’s darkness in the Light of Your Resurrection, so that all that is dark may be converted into Light.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: “Come O Risen Lord, visit Thy people.”

2. The Ascension of Christ into Heaven

"So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19

With the body of St. Joseph hidden in the cloud, Jesus ascended into heaven, to be seated at the right hand of the Father. As our Lord ascended, the disciples fixed their gaze on heaven and remained looking upwards until the angel beckoned them to move on. We ask O Lord that our gaze would also remained fixed on You; so that through the sure confidence of our hope, we may possess now our true-life in Eternity with You. And as we hide ourselves with St. Joseph in the cloud of Your ascension; we wrap ourselves with the consoling dew of Your promise: “I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Help us 'to move on' in the task of bringing your salvation to souls. We long to meet you face to face and with Holy Church await Your glorious return.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Come Glorious Lord, we await Thy triumphant return!”

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and begun to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:4

After nine days of prayer in the upper room, tongues of fire gushed forth from the Uncreated Womb of the Holy Spirit. Thus born anew in the confidence of God’s Love, the Apostles boldly went forth wielding the Sword of the Gospel; cutting hearts and winning souls for the Kingdom. We beseech You Father to pour forth the Fire of Divine Love into our hearts. That consumed by the Desire of the Holy Spirit, we may be reduced to ash, and you may recreate us after the likeness of Thy Son, in whom we shall worship and adore Thee with the Love of the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Send forth Thy Spirit O Lord and we shall be created."

4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

"Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep." 1 Thessalonians 4:14

Our Lord could not let His beloved come to know decay, for from the Holy Mother came our Lord’s most Holy Flesh. He therefore assumed You Mary, body and soul into heaven. And as You arrived in paradise Mother, You beheld Your Resurrected Son smiling with ineffable joy; and you smiling also, ran playfully towards Him, embracing Him with an affection never before seen; causing the angles and saints to swoon with delight. In this mother of all embraces, is contained all the holy embraces of the people of Israel, of Holy Church. So taking Your pure arms, we repeat this Holy Embrace by embracing Jesus present in each and every Host that has ever been and will be consecrated. We also ask dearest Mother that You would kiss our every word, thought, prayer and action, with the perfume of Your Assumption; so that in everything we are and do the Holy Trinity may perpetually experience the delight and feast of Your Assumption.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Grant all souls O Lord, the grace of a happy death.”

5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"A great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation 12:1

Hail Queen of Heaven and Earth, and Queen of all Hearts! We consecrate ourselves and all souls to Your queenship and maternal care; asking that You would give us Your very own fidelity to God, so that in all things we may be pleasing to Him like unto yourself. Petition our Beloved Jesus to extend His blessing upon all souls; be they in heaven, purgatory or on earth. We request also dearest Queen, that we would come to reign together with You in the Kingdom of the Divine Will. And finally we ask in a special way that we would be truly devoted to you O Queen Mother, by living and dying for love of Jesus our King.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Conquer us O Christ our King, and fill us with Thy Mother's Trust"

Meditation on the Luminous Mysteries

Prayer before the Rosary:

Let us unite with Jesus and Mary, accompanied by St. Joseph, as we participate in the Glorious Mysteries. In this Rosary let us pray, love, give thanks, and make reparation to God on behalf of ourselves and all souls, from Adam to the last man.

1.     The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River

"The Spirit descended like a dove on Him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; and with You I am well pleased." Mark 1:10

Glorious Saviour, in order to restore us to a rightful relationship with Your Father, You humbled Yourself to receive baptism from the hands of John the Baptist. “He must increase, but I must decrease” spoke John; for he knew who You were. I too know who You are O Lord; yet I ask that in all humility You would immerse Yourself in the river of my humanity, so that sanctified it may become one with Your Divinity. It is then, and even now in hope, I boast in You my Jesus, after the example of St. Paul. In faith I too hear the Voice of the Father proclaim: “‘You are my Son, the Beloved; and with You I am well pleased.”

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Open our hearts to the ways of Your Spirit."

2. The Wedding at Cana

"Jesus changed water into wine, the first of His signs, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." John 2:11

Our Lady noticed that the hosts had begun to run out of wine. To avoid embarrassing them she spoke to the servants discreetly, and lovingly commanded: “Go, do whatever He tells you.” And You Jesus, despite complaining that Your hour had not yet come, are swayed by the irresistible charm of Your Mother’s voice; and thus You say to the servants: “‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim”. You then instruct them: “ Draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” And by the time the steward tasted the water it had turned into wine. The steward called the bridegroom and exclaimed, “‘Every man serves the good wine first…then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.’” We beg You O Lord, work this miracle in all souls, by transforming the water of our humanity into the new and divine wine of the Kingdom. Let us become in Christ a refreshing drink for the Father, and a tonic for the good of souls.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Make us drunk in selflessness on the wine of Your Love."

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom & the Call to Repentance

“‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15

Preaching the message of repentance, You call all people to enter into the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Peace, Justice and Joy. By casting out devils You make it known that the kingdom of God is at hand, and that the reign of Satan has ended. We ask that You invest our every word, thought, prayer and action with the Power of Your Word; so that all that we are and do proclaim in ceaseless acclamation: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Let repentance and trust in God flood the earth."

4. The Transfiguration of Christ on Mt. Tabor

"He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became dazzling white." Matthew 17:2

As Moses representing the Law, and Elijah representing the prophets, speak with Jesus about how the Messiah must suffer and die; Jesus manifests His glory to Peter, James and John. Transfigured, Christ's countenance blazes with the glory of His divinity; shining more brilliantly than the sun. We ask that You would ‘expand in us O Divine Sun, until Thou wouldst burst forth with the all consuming gasp of Thy flame!’ And taking this Fire of Divine Love, we set ablaze all hearts with the desire to be in union with You.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Lord, may we enjoy forever the splendour of your Holy Face."

4. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper

"He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19

As You raise the Pearl of Great Price in Your hands; a raging river of light gushes forth throughout all space, time and eternity. Uniting with the just Apostles in the act of Adoration, we ask to be clothed in this light, so that we may attempt in vain to blind You O God, with Your very own Love, and Your very own Glory. O send forth Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Adoration, so that all may come to feast upon this Celestial Bread of the Father’s Will. And now with Mary our Mother we make flight so as to receive You in every reception of Holy Communion ever made. Falling prostrate before You, we adore You present in every Host throughout the ages; so as to make reparation for all those who ignore and reject You in this Host of Love.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "O Eucharistic Lord, we praise and adore You."

Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries

Beginning Prayer:

Let us unite with Jesus and Mary, accompanied by St. Joseph, as we participate in the Glorious Mysteries. In this Rosary let us pray, love, give thanks, and make reparation to God on behalf of ourselves and all souls, from Adam to the last man.

1. The Agony in the Garden

"And His sweat became as drops of blood running down upon the ground. And rising from prayer He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping." Luke 22:44-45

Holy Scripture refers to the soul in the imagery of bride. In the Garden of Gethsemane our Lord beheld all the sins, all the adulterations and lusts of us His unfaithful brides. In the still and heavy darkness of that night, our Lord wept with the bitter pains of being betrayed and cheated on by the sins of mankind. In Mary His faithful Bride, let us console our Lord with the many hours of intimacy spent by souls in Adoration.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Together with You my Love, let me weep in sorrow."

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

"Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified." Mark 15:15

The soldiers drunk with wine tore ferociously at Jesus' exposed flesh. Drunk with lust and blinded by love for sin, souls incessantly scourge our Lord's Flesh; leaving behind deep wounds and painful incisions. Yet just as a sweet fragrance exudes from the myrrh tree when it is bruised and cut, so too the Flesh of our Lord permeates the Myrrh of His love. Let us sooth our Beloved's Flesh with the balm of His Love; and let us hide the stench of the world's lusts, by perfuming each soul with the Myrrh of Christ's Love.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Together with You my Love, let me be scourged."

3. The Crowning with Thorns

"And they stripped Him and put on Him a scarlet cloak; and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on His head, and a reed into His right hand." Matthew 27: 28-29

In our pride we steal the gold of glory owed to our God; and with it we make for ourselves crowns, which Satan uses to coronate us as kings of our own will. However our Lord the King of the Universe, in all humility, accepted the crown of thorns as the rite of His coronation. Casting our stolen crowns of pride into the Furnace of God's Love, let us fall prostrate before our King: paying Him homage in reparation for all the blasphemies; and sending Him kisses of Adoration, in reparation for all the spittle that humanity smears upon the Face of our King.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Together with You my Love, let me be crowned with thorns."

4. The Carrying of the Cross

"They took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha." John 19:17

Yearning to win us over by His Unfathomable Love, our Lord embraced with bitter joy that Cross which we fashioned by our sins. As He climbed the slope of Calvary, each step became as a death to His poor Heart. With each fall that He made, sending forth a light of strength to all poor sinners, that they might arise out of sin and continue along the way. Now let us console our Sorrowful Jesus by allowing Him to meet His Mother in our heart. With them we say yes to the cross ordained for us, out of love for God and our neighbour. Only give us Your very own strength and joy, Jesus, in carrying our cross.

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Together with You my Love, I carry my cross."

5. The Crucifixion of our Lord

"Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!' And having said this He breathed His Last." Luke 23:46

It was you who crucified our Lord. It was you who nailed Him to the tree. It was all of us who worked together in our sin, to kill our Beloved King. O let us climb that Cross with great haste, so as to join our lonely Lord in His final moments. It is then that our Lord speaks with a love to melt the hardest of hearts: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Even whilst dying Jesus thinks of no one but us. And then speaking again our Lord pants: "I thirst". Here we are then Lord, drink of our love to your heart’s content. And finally, after He commends His spirit to the Father, He looks towards His Mother and silently cries out: "Imma!", "Mamma!” and dying, His Sacred Head drops to the side, as the sun withdraws behind the clouds.

Meanwhile Your Mother faints O Lord in the anguish of Her sorrow. And it is then that in the cruelty of our sins, we take the lance and crudely pierce Your most Sacred Heart. Then as water and blood gush forth from the wound of our making, we are healed of the blindness of sin. We thank You Lord, for allowing us to pierce Your Sweet Heart! Now let us make amends for our horrendous crimes, by joining our Mother in Her sorrows. So together with our Mother, let us hold the dead Body of Jesus in our arms; venerating His wounds and bathing Him clean with the water of our tears. Now let us join John the Beloved, and rest our heads upon that Heart, the Pillow of our Salvation. And as we lay lovingly upon that Heart, let us whisper with the lips of our Holy Mother into the ears of Jesus' corpse: "Rise my Glory, Rise my Love."

And with the voice of Mary let us pray: "Together with You my Love, let me be crucified."

Virgin's Kiss

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made flesh in the womb through the Virgin’s consenting kiss.

There knelt the Virgin,

In the lateness of the eve;

Doused in the expectant light

Of moons longed dream.

From that Virgin’s lips

Uttered not a single sound,

Yet with silent thrusts of love,

Pierced, God was deafened.

Wounded by Virgin,

Made faint by Her arrows charm,

God swooned beyond all telling,

Shedding Joyful Tear.

As Virgin prayed,

Moon was overcome by cloud.

Its darkness fell with shadow;

Cast on She bellow.

Then in that darkness,

Came forth that most holy of Tears;

Falling from above as rain

From God the Father.

Fall that Tear it did

Until it reached the Virgin.

Hovered there above; waiting

For consenting kiss.

Bold with loves delight,

The Virgin sweetly breathed in;

And breathing out Her consent,

Kissed with lips that Tear.

Waters from above

Mingled with waters bellow,

In that Virgins thirsty womb,

Quenched by Joyful Tear.

Virgin she did sing

As two waters were made one.

Now seas of earth and heaven

Kiss forevermore.

Virgin’s womb it was

That knit Joyful Tear’s sweet face.

Opening up to us therefore

That sweet face to kiss.

25/03/2014

The Garment of Worldliness and the Robe of Salvation

Naked before God

Through the shame of the nakedness of Christ on the Cross, we are restored to and brought beyond the glories of the innocence of the nakedness of Adam.

Cast away from yourselves the garment of worldliness, with all its many countless varieties of adorned gems and precious stones. For though this garment is comfortable and pleasing to the flesh, and smells of fine perfume to the senses, it is in fact a garment of perversity, of falsehood and darkness. Cast off this wretched garment before it is too late! Do not say to your soul: “it can wait until tomorrow”; for anyone who says this, is uttering a curse against God and is exploiting and testing His merciful patience. Do you not know that this beloved garment of yours smells of the feces of Satan? Do you not know that the gems of material luxuries and the precious stones of wealth and comfort that adorn this garment, are actually naught else but the feces of Satan, disguised through his deception as though they were precious? If you cannot sense this, that the garment you cling to is but a filthy rag, then you possess not the True Wisdom that comes through faith in God above; but rather you possess the blind false wisdom that comes through distrust and disbelief in God; therefore possessing instead the foolishness of the devils.

Decide then my friend, will you keep comfortable now by continuing to wear the garment of worldliness, and thus go to hell to join the devils who hate you? Or shall you pray to God for mercy; ask for His forgiveness, and the gift of faith in Him; whilst casting from yourself the garment of worldliness, the garment of damnation; so as to go to heaven to unite eternally with a God who is madly in love with you? The choice is yours o soul, God has given you a will that is capable of choosing freely. You can choose comforts now; pleasures, lusts and indulgence in the flesh: and thus burn eternally in the excruciating fires of hell. Or rather dear soul, you can choose discomforts now; hardships, purity and moderation in all things except love; and thus delight eternally in the blissful feasts of heaven.

If you cast away your garment, the garment of worldliness, and join Christ in His nakedness on the Cross; Christ Jesus shall say unto you: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 23:43b). This does not mean that today you will die (though you may indeed), but what it means is that if you choose to be naked of every attachment to the pleasures of the world, (including the delights of earthly relationships), then today you shall be clothed in the Robe of Salvation. That invisible robe seen only with the eyes of faith, which enriches one with a share in the fullness of the inheritance of Christ; an eternal and everlasting inheritance which He has won for you from the Heavenly Father. Indeed this Robe is the light and glory of the Resurrection; and in it you shall shine like the sun, as all demons shall flee from you. Whilst you shall also attract the attention of God who shall take delight to dwell in you.

O but how one must decide each and every day to strip bare in order to be naked before God in perfect humility; because the Robe of Salvation can so easily be stained many times daily, at least seven, since as it is written: even the just man sins seven times daily (Prov 24:16). Cast therefore the Robe of Salvation before the Cross, the Throne of the Lamb, and let it be washed in the Blood of He who was slain. For of such souls that are pleasing to the Lord it is written: “They have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 14:c). Do this, the daily washing of your Robe, by daily repentance and constant surrender to God, and you will be secure in God’s love, and He shall increase in you. Yet do not seek to clothe yourself, for this Robe cannot be produced or put on by human hands, but only by the Divine. And furthermore, do not ask to be clothed in this Robe, since its Might and Glory are beyond that which can be asked; and regardless, there is a more perfect way, it is the way of giving without wanting to receive, and such a method cannot be done if one petitions God. For though there is indeed room for petitions in the spiritual life, this perfectly applies to petitions for the sake of one neighbors, not for oneself. If ever one does petition God for the sake of himself, the action he does is good, yet imperfect. We know this truth because it is written: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Mt 6: 25, 33). In other words, concern yourself with everyone’s needs but yourself, for God shall take care of you; and likewise, concern yourself with the duties of the Kingdom, that of living in God’s Will, and he shall take care of you. Give of yourself until it hurts and then keep giving (Bl. Mother Teresa) for the sake of the Kingdom, and He shall take care of you. It is often a temptation to pray for one’s own needs, since often praying for oneself is an act of self-love. The perfect way therefore is to pray against oneself; by praying to be crucified in order to be consumed for love of Him, or in other words, to pray for graces for oneself, purely for the sake of love of God, His Glory and the salvation of souls. In this way God remains the focus of your prayer, and not yourself.

Now once you have resolved to not ask God for anything for yourself, desiring to give all to him in the contentment of the surrender of nakedness; then you can exclaim in sincerity of heart these powerful words to your Creator: “Here I am Lord, I am naked before Thee”. And He who clothes the hills with grass and the mountains with snow shall say unto you: “Let me clothe thee my little child, for thou hast cast off the Robe of Salvation, the Robe of Great Worth which I have given thee. So take therefore this new Robe of Salvation, enriched through the deeper sanctification of its last washing in my Son’s Blood. Thou once wore the Robe of Great Worth, but now today, because of the humility of thy nakedness, and the likeness thou bare to my Son who died naked for thee, I shall clothe thee in the Robe of Greater Worth.” And this your Creator shall do for you daily; taking you from glory to glory if you so choose dear soul, to not be clothed in the comforts and honors of this world; but in the discomforts and shame of Christ’s nakedness.

The choice is yours. Be rich and hollow today, and woefully impoverished forevermore; or be poor and glad today, and taste richness forevermore. And furthermore, if you do choose to be richer today, know that you choose to be made even more woefully impoverished forevermore, and for all eternity shall you starve. However if you choose to be poorer today, know that you choose to be made even more wealthy forevermore; and you shall indeed taste in greater intensity, according to the measure of your hunger, the endless delights of the Celestial Food of God’s Will; that Eternal Bread which is Joy, Peace, Mercy and Love itself. For as it is written: “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.” (Lk 1:53).

Christ Gloriously Rose from the Dead in the Innocence of Nakedness