Easiest and Hardest Misteries of the Rosary

[serendipity]

Genesis315:

I suggest finding a booklet for a “Scriptural Rosary” which will have little passages from scripture associated with each Mystery. It should give you a good idea of what to be focusing on.

I don’t find scriptural references that helpful. my problem at this stage is not in recognizing form where the mysteries originate ins criputre and tradition, becuase I have a grasp on the stories behind them. my difficulties occur in thinking about what messages some of them have for me.

Some of the mysteries that give me the greatest difficulty, those int he Luminous mysteries and Glorious mysteries are partially difficult becuase the stories are so amazing. Not in the sense that they are incredible. I believe them, but I am awestruck by their grandeur and have trouble in realizing what messages they present to my life, when I am so far removed from being worthy of witnessing such miracles.

As I said before, the luminous mysteries are some of my favorite Bible stories, but when I think of things like the Transfiguration; I love that message; the continuity of God’s love through the ages, that I am not sure what to think aside from wow! Theresa, thanks for the thoughts on spirituality that you think of when embracing that partiuclar mystery.

What do people meditate on when they think of the Ascension? I get so lost of the idea of Jesus as represented with God’s glory, that I don’t know what messages I should be able to take form that for within my life.

With the scourging of the pillar, I ask for a better ability to be scourged of my personal vices, and to be able to console those going through similar processes and difficulties in life that will change them, who may not be as visibly marked as Jesus was, but are still suffering; like people trying to giveup addicitions, or peopel going through unemployment or divorce or whatever their challenges may be where they really hurt.

I think it is easier for me to meditate on the sorrowful and joyful mysteries, because although they contain some elements of teh supernatural; like the angel appearing to Mary, the fact that they are rooted more to physical images and messages makes it easier for me to find correlations.

 

[serendipity]

abraham:

Nativity. As a father of three small children I can relate easily to both accepting and honoring new life. “Whatever you’ve done to the least of these, you’ve done it unto me”

I think of the Nativity more in terms of new opportunities God may be presenting me to pursue his will, and I pray for that I will have the wisdom of the magi to be able to recognize them for what they are. Some times I feel that I have no options or guidance in life, but I don’t think it is a case of God leaving me, as much as it me lacking the wisdom to see what is before me.

For the Annuciation, likewise, I pray for the ability to hear God’s will and directions; the wisdom to notice what he is asking and where he is leading me; and the courage to say yes nd the faith to continue trusting in his providence. Mary had such great courage, strength, conviction/direction and faith in this issue. She said yes unhesitantly, not worrying abotu the social stigma that might be attached of being pregnant or being able to explain the pregnancy.

Mary said yes on the spot without asking a rabbi or male guardian for direction, in a time period when women really had no authority to make decisions about their life. according to tradition, if she had taken a vow of perpetual virginity at the time, this was a huge glitch in the way she believed that her life was meant to be dedicated to God, but when the angel announced the proposition she demonstrated no concerns about her original plan.

 

[Augustine]

serendipity:

my difficulties occur in thinking about what messages some of them have for me.

The Holy Spirit may not have anything to say to you, when the best thing to do is to praise Him and send Him your love for Him.

 

[abraham]

serendipity:

What do people meditate on when they think of the Ascension?

The Ascension was also the time when Jesus gave the Great Commission to the apostles… “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit… and lo I am with you always even until the end of the age” It would be a good time to think about our mission as a church to spread the Gospel, that all of us from bishops to laity could live up to our various roles in carrying that out.

 

[Didi]

I find that how I meditate depends on what’s happening in my life and who I am offering the Rosary for. I don’t always have great revelations, but sometimes the Holy Spirit allows a new insight I hadn’t thought about before.

The Transfiguration –

I find it interesting that Peter, James and John were the only three apostles with Jesus both at the Transfiguration and at the Agony in the Garden. Perhaps if they had not seen Him in His glory, they wouldn’t be able to see Him in His agony, either. This reminds me that we are strengthened by those friendships where we see each other through good and bad, so I remember to pray for my friends during this decade.

The Ascension –

I, too, like to meditate on the fact that even though Jesus ascended into heaven, He is also present with us on earth through the Holy Eucharist, with us “until the end of time.” And even though the disciples and His mother must have been sad to see Him go, it would not be long before the Holy Spirit descends to strengthen them and give them a more full understanding of His Presence still among them.

The one I have a hard time with is the third Luminous mystery, Jesus Proclaims the Coming of His Kingdom. There are so many scriptures to refer to on this one, that sometines I have a hard time focusing on any one in particular. What I have thought of lately is that all of Jesus’ parables on the Kingdom remind us of the following: 1) That the wheat is growing in the midst of the weeds (we must be aware of these temptations); 2) That we must have our foundation on firm soil, not rocky or sandy (firmly planted in Jesus’ church) 3) That some of the seeds we plant will grow and thrive, others will not, but we must leave that up to the Holy Spirit, and 4) That we will be judged on our actions towards others.

Any other thoughts?