Liv Homolka

The Luminous Mysteries are a relatively newer Rosary meditation as compared to the others which are centuries old. The great St. Pope John Paul II added them in 2002 to show the light of God illuminated through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Personally, the Luminous Mysteries have been substantially impactful on my Faith and particularly influential in my reversion to Catholicism. I pray that these Luminous Mysteries and my meditations will be just as impactful in your walk with Jesus.

1. The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of the Lord

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 (NSRV-CE)

• Jesus has always humbled Himself to walk with man. Though He was sinless, He took on the sinners’ baptism to show us the way. Even John the Baptist was surprised when Jesus came to Him. How does this show the sacramentality of baptism rather than baptism being a symbol? If John the Baptist thought it was surprising to have the sinless Jesus come to him for baptism does this example of baptism show a power of regeneration from sin or is it just a symbol of faith?
• The sacramentality of baptism is further expressed when the power of the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the end of His baptism ushering in His time of His earthly ministry. How has the Holy Spirit led you after your own baptism? Where is He leading you in ministerial works?
• How does Jesus’ baptism foreshadow His redemptive work on the Cross and resurrection?

Spend time today in prayer thanking Jesus for your own baptism. Reflect on how your life has changed since that moment. If you have never been baptized, pray about taking the steps towards baptism and get in contact with your local parish.

2. The Second Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” John 2:1-11 (NSRV-CE)

• What is the “good wine”? How does the wine foreshadow Jesus’ blood shed at Calvary?

• How does this passage show Mary’s intercession? How does it show how she cares for others? Who does she always point others to (verse 5)?
• Why do you think Jesus’ first public miracle was performed at a wedding? How does this show the intimate relationship between the Church and our Savior, Jesus Christ?

Spend time in prayer today thanking Jesus for His intimate marriage with the Body of Christ. Ponder what a Holy marriage looks like with Christ and His Church as the example. Ask Him how you can be a better bride to Him.

3. The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven

“and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Mark 1:15

• Why is repentance important in our relationship with the Lord? Why is it necessary not just at the start of our walk with the Lord but always? When was the last time you repented of your sins?
• In today’s world, belief in the Good News is dwindling. How can you share the Gospel daily?
• What peace does it give you that the Kingdom of Heaven has been established despite this dark world? How can you remember this when you are filled with anxiety, dread, or sadness when you see the ugliness of the world?

Spend time today pondering the greatness of the Kingdom of Heaven. Thank Jesus for opening the gates for you. Ask Him how you can share this Good News so others can have the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven too.

4. The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;^[c] with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.” Matthew 17:1-8

• In the Old Testament, God leads Moses up a mountain to reveal to him the Ten Commandments. It was through Moses that the Law was passed down for generations. In this passage, Jesus, also God, leads His apostles (Peter being one of them) up a mountain to reveal His divinity. What does this passage show us is about to happen to the fulfillment of the Law? Does it show us that Peter will be significant in the passing down of this “New Law”?
• God’s voice from Heaven says, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!” (Verse 5). How can you better listen to Him?
• How is Jesus telling you to get up and be not afraid today? Why is it important to fear the greatness of God while also having the ability to get up and do His will in confidence?

This passage ends with the apostles seeing no one except Jesus Himself alone. (Verse 8). How can you fix your eyes on only Jesus today? Pray for greater love for Him alone and detachment from the world.

5. The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him.  And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” John 6:51-67 (NSRV-CE)

• Jesus states that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will have eternal life (54) and whoever does not has no life in them (53). What other parts of the passage shows that Jesus is speaking literally?
• Is this teaching hard for you to accept like it was for many of his disciples? (60)
• Do you believe in His True Presence: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)? Will you pray about it today instead of turning away from His teachings like some of his disciples did? (66)

Spend time today praying about this difficult teaching. What are your roadblocks in believing it if you have any? Why? Pray for deeper understanding and faith when it is difficult to believe.

I pray that these meditations have been fruitful for you this week. I am praying for you this Lent and always.

Many blessings,

Liv