Image by thesaintsproject.org
Bible verse 1: Mark 16:6, 16:19
Bible verse 2: Acts 2:4
The Glorious Mysteries are those in which Mary takes a bit of a back seat, because she’s not front and center like she is in the Joyful Mysteries. However, given that she’s such an integral part of Christ’s life, and how great a devotion the rosary is, the Glorious Mysteries arestill an important part of Marian doctrine.
The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
“…Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here,” (Mark 16:6). In the first Glorious Mystery,the tomb is discovered empty. Mary had buried her Son, and here He was, missing from the tomb. When Christ returned, how joyful must Mary have been?
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God,” (Mark 16:19). When Christ returned, he stayed for 40 days. He commissioned the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, and promised to be with them forever. He took his mother and the apostles to Mt. Olivet, and extended His pierced hands over all of them in a blessing and was taken up to heaven. They left the mount and returned to Jerusalem with joy!
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim,” (Acts 2:4). When the Holy Spirit descended, Mary was in the Upper Room, where the Last Supper was held, with the Apostles. That first day, Peter went forth to preach and baptized three thousand. The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day it begins to grow.
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
While there isn’t a direct scriptural reference to Mary’s assumption, Mary’s sinless body wouldn’t have needed to die, as death was the punishment for original sin that Adam and Eve were dealt. Her body, which would have been venerated, was never found.
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation
“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, With the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev 12:1) While the other people are mentioned in Revelation as souls, Mary is specifically mentioned in a corporeal manner.
The mysteries of the rosary are such a wonderful way to get closer to mama Mary, and to learn more about our spiritual history. We’re blessed to have so many ways to pray and get closer to our Spiritual mother.
Reflection question 1: Now that we’ve gone over the Joyful and the Glorious Mysteries, which do you feel a closer connection with?
Reflection question 2: Do you feel more of a connection with the Apostles or with Mary when you read the Glorious Mysteries?
Act: Make time to pray a decade of the rosary, ponder one of the Glorious mysteries, and keep it in your heart.
