Reflections on the Luminous Mysteries -Part 2

Reflections on the Luminous Mysteries – Part 2

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

     In part 1, a careful analysis was completed on the first three Luminous Mysteries. Now, it is time to examine the last two Luminous Mysteries. Let us now examine the Transfiguration. We all know the story of how Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a high mountain. This side trip is part of the major journey of Jesus heading to Jerusalem. We all know the story that the disciples saw Jesus glorified, that is, his entire being radiating the infinite glory and power of God. There, He was met by Moses and Elijah. This illustrates the vision of Moses and the burning bush. God told Moses that He was not the God of the dead, but that He is the God of the living.

     Peter, James, and John, spellbound by what they saw, asked if they should build three booths. One would be for Jesus. One would be for Moses, and one would be for Elijah. They were so stunned that they did not know what they were saying. Then the voice of the Father was heard, “This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him”. That quote came from an earlier translation of the Christian Testament, that I learned as a child. The “Hear Him” could easily be translated to “Listen to Him.” As a child, I always thought “Heed Him” would have been a better translation.

     Knowing what we know of the Baptism of Jesus when we heard the voice of the Father about Jesus being His Beloved Son, and Mary, the Mother of God, instructing the servers at the Wedding Feast of Cana, “do what ever He tells you”, the Father combined the two to teach the disciples an all his followers to this day and beyond, that Jesus is truly God’s Son. It amazes me that in the early Church, a heresy could spring up that Jesus was not both human and divine, could even be considered. The Transfiguration proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus was and is true God and true man.

     After the Father spoke, Moses and Elijah disappeared, and Jesus returned to his natural appearance. On their descent from the mountain, Jesus told his disciples not to reveal any of the vision until the Son of Man rises from the dead. That had to be the conversation of Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. Now, it is onward to Jerusalem to fulfill his destiny.

     Jesus began his date with destiny with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people were proclaiming, “Hosanna to the Son of David and King of Israel”. Before he came face to face with his destiny, He greatly desired to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. This brings us to the fifth Luminous Mystery which is the Institution of the Holy Priesthood and Holy Eucharist. The first job was to banish Judas, the betrayer, which He did very quickly. Jesus then proceeded to wash the feet of his apostles, for without this washing, they would have no part with Him or His ministry. In my view this act instituted the Holy Priesthood. Next, they ate the Passover meal according to Jewish Law and Ritual. It was while they were at supper, that Jesus performed the first act of Transubstantiation. He proclaimed the words of consecration that transformed ordinary unleavened bread to his body and ordinary wine to his blood. The physical body of Jesus would be broken for all and every drop of his blood would be shed for the forgiveness of sin. The apostles and their successors were told to consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus in memory of Jesus. These words of consecration should never be changed or revised. These words are a gift or legacy from Jesus.

     After this act, Jesus told his disciples that He was about to leave them, but, He would return to them. As sorrowful, as the disciples were at the Lord’s leaving, they were at least hopeful that they would see Him again. After singing songs of praise, Jesus and the apostles left the upper room and went to the garden of Gethsemane.

     In this article, I wrote a word, “Transubstantiation”. This is the process where the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus becomes truly present under the species of bread and wine. This is the simplest definition that I could find.

     Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Deo Gratias. Gloria Tibi Domini. Laus Deo. See you in Paradise.