Light From the Rosary (Part 5)

Light From the Rosary (Part 5)

Light From the Rosary (Part 1)
Light From the Rosary (Part 2)
Light From the Rosary (Part 3)
Light From the Rosary (Part 4)
Light From the Rosary "back cover"

The Father's Business
When Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the Temple (J5), He asked them "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Lk 2:49) But what was that work, which our Lord deferred for another 18 years? He explained (L3) it this way:

Then Jesus answered and said to them: Amen, amen, I say unto you, the Son cannot do any thing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doth, these the Son also doth in like manner. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things which himself doth: and greater works than these will he shew him, that you may wonder. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and giveth life: so the Son also giveth life to whom he will. (Jn 5:19-21)

(J5 L3)

Moses and Elijah Speak
"And behold two men were talking with him. And they were Moses and Elias, appearing in majesty (L4). And they spoke of his decease (S5) that he should accomplish in Jerusalem." (Lk 9:30-31)
(L4 S5)

The Sacrifice of the New Covenant
"This is My Body, which is given for you. ... This is the chalice, the new testament in My Blood, which shall be shed for you." (Lk 22:19-20)
(L5 S5)

You say I am a King
The Magi (J3) asked "Where is he that is born king of the Jews?" (Mt 2:2). The disciples were sent, as Jesus Himself was sent, "I must preach the kingdom of God: (L3) for therefore am I sent." (Lk 4:43) The Roman soldiers wove a "crown of thorns, (S3) put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews." And on Pentecost (G3) the Spirit was sent as our Lord's first royal command from the throne: "But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you." (Jn 16:7)
(J3 L3) (L3 S3) (S3 G3) (J3 S3) (J3 G3) (L3 G3)
(Yes, it takes six edges to link every one of these four nodes to each other.)

No greater born
John the Baptist is seen in two mysteries: the Visitation (J2) where he "leaped for joy" (Lk 1:44) and the Baptism at the Jordan (L1), where he baptises the One Who makes holy the waters of Baptism. We might also include L3, in particular our Lord's words about John's position and duties (see Mt 11:2-15, 14:1-12)
(J2 L1) (J2 L3) (L1 L3)

Two or Three Witnesses
Jesus explained to the disciples (L3) that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand." (Mt 18:16) It is good to point out that God Himself abides by this, for at the Resurrection(G1) (Lk 24:2) and also at the Ascension (G2) (Acts 1:10), He sent two angels to speak as witnesses. Pope St. Leo the Great pointed out [See the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent. [Sermo 51, 3-4, 8: PL 54, 310-311, 313]] that in fulfilment of this rule, both Moses and Elijah, but also Peter, James, and John were present at the Transfiguration. This is also mentioned by St. John in his first letter (1 John 5:7-8): "And there are Three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit and the water and the blood. And these three are one."
(L3 G1) (L3 G2) (L3 L4)

Anticipation of the Resurrection
Jesus Himself hinted that the Transfiguration (L4) was in some fashion an anticipation of the Resurrection (G1) – even though the disciples did not understand the hint. (Mk 9:8-9)
(L4 G1)

I Have Come For Division
At the presentation in the Temple (J4), Simeon predicts that Jesus is "a sign which shall be contradicted." (Lk 2:34) And Jesus ratifies the prediction (L3): "Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation." (Lk 12:51)
(J4 L3)

Peter, James and John
These three might be called the "inner circle" of the Apostles: they are together at the Transfiguration (L4) and in Gethsemane (S1), and in other places such as the raising of the daughter of Jairus (L3) (Mk 5:37)
(L4 S1) (L3 S1)

Take up your cross
Just after Peter's confession of faith at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus told His disciples (L3), "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Mt 16:24) And on Good Friday Jesus took up His own cross (S4). (Mt 27:31-33 and parallels)
(L3 S4)

Prediction of the scourging and spitting
Jesus predicted (L3) His death on the cross, but also specifically mentions scourging (S2) and mockery and spitting (S3) (Mt 20:19, Mk 10:34, Lk 18:32), thus the proclamation of the kingdom during His public life is coupled with the Passion.
(L3 S2) (L3 S3)

Good Wine
At Cana (L2), the chief steward remarked, "Thou hast kept the good wine until now." (Jn 2:10) The Good Wine of the New Covenant, which Jesus kept until the Last Supper (L5), then gave us to drink. (Mt 26:27)
(L2 L5)


The Inn at the End of the World
In connection with the Eucharist (L5) (which has always been seen as a foretaste of Heaven) we have already mentioned the words of the chief steward at Cana(L2): "Thou hast kept the good wine until now." (Jn 2:10) But this time let us connect them with the prediction of our Lord at the Last Supper: "And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father." (Mt 26:29)
But when, exactly, is this to be?
We might have a clue from that the happy, strange and marvellous prediction that Chesterton made: "For you and me, and for all brave men, there is good wine poured in the inn at the end of the world." [G. K. Chesterton The Napoleon of Notting Hill, CW6:371] It is when the wine shall be served in the feast at the End of Time, as John reported: "Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Rv 19:9) This may well be considered the Coronation Banquet (G5), as Psalm 44(45) suggests, which is to me the chief Chestertonian psalm.
(L2 G5)

All Ages Will Call Me Blessed
At the Visitation (J2), Mary prophesied that all generations would call her blessed (Lk 1:48). Even if no one can give a precise "time" of the Coronation (G5) of Mary (though Rv 12:1 provides a strong indication of it), it would have to be included in this prediction. What loyal subject could not speak of the star-crowned Queen as blessed?
(J2 G5)

(to be continued...)