Spiritual Discipline 2: The Scriptural Rosary
The Rosary is an ancient prayer narrating the entire story of Salvation. The whole Rosary is composed of twenty decades that can be split over four days of five decades. Each decade is divided by sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious (please see appendix for a complete and detailed example). After the beautiful experience of the Liturgy of the hours, which is now become part of my daily life for the three major hours, I want to discover the deeper meaning of my habit to pray the Rosary. I am part of an international group of Catholics committed to pray five decades of the Holy Rosary every day for World’s Peace. We pray Joyful Mysteries on Mondays and Saturdays, Luminous Mysteries
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To complete a meditative atmosphere, I had scented candles and incense; some days the pace was following the rhythm of the Ave Maria of Schubert or Gregorian Music. This is now my peace island for about two hours every day. This environment gives me rest, and the repetitive prayer meditating on Jesus’s life slows down my heartbeats and mind flowing in a deep awareness of the Story of Salvation, almost like living the Biblical Story and feeling Jesus closer and God’s presence, in charge of my life with His …show more content…
The Joyful mysteries: The Annunciation (Luke 1:28), The Visitation (Luke 1:36), Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-20), the presentation of Jesus to the Temple (Luke 2:22-40), Finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52). These Mysteries evoked in my heart the good news of the most joyful event in human history, that of the Incarnation, and the awareness of God’s infinite Mercy and humility in coming to Earth as a defenseless infant.
The Luminous Mysteries: The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17), The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), Jesus Proclaiming the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23), Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2), the Institution of the Eucharist (Mark 14:22-26). In this set I felt like I was walking with Jesus through Galilee, a deep feeling through imagery of our God as friend but at the same time Master and
Dekker’s suspenseful writing and story, as well as his splendid imagery, are sure to captivate both believers and unbelievers alike. His descriptive worlds, relatable characters, and emotional words bring this exciting story to life with a flourish. Using powerful phrases such as, “… the tall trees shining their soft colors about him. Most seemed to glow with one predominant color… accented by other colors of the rainbow,” and, “… a towering pearl cliff shimmered with ruby and topaz hues… a huge waterfall which throbbed with green and golden light…” Dekker brings evocative scenes to the mind’s eye. It is easy to see why so many are charmed by these stunning descriptions.
"Luke." Serendipity Bible for Groups: New International Version. 3rd ed. Ed. Lyman Coleman. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998. 1416-1474.
Her choices of metaphors are simplistic explanations providing the backdrop for the emotional and spiritual connection we seek in following Christ. The symbolic comparisons of Mary Magdalene, her relationship to Jesus, mirrors some of Julian of Norwich’s personal spiritual journey of prayerful contemplation while seeking intimacy in her relationship to God.
Brown, Raymond. A Crucified Christ in Holy Week: Essays on the Four Gospel Passion Narratives. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1986.
These sacred pieces light the flame into the speaker’s passion for her religion in many ways. She begins to pay more attention and really contemplate why she is on earth? What is she here to do in
The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline states, “Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illuminated by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason”. This statement outlines the concept of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Interestingly, John Wesley never actually used the term “quadrilateral” and the American Methodist scholar, Albert C. Outler, who later stated that he regretted doing so as it has been misconstrued, named it.
Menn, Stephen. “The Problem of the Third Meditation.” American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly. Edited by Robert E. Wood. Volume 67. American Catholic Philosophical Association: Washington DC. 1993. 537-559.
The work contains imagery that suggests three different events in the bible: the coronation of the Virgin as queen of heaven, the assumption of the Virgin to heaven, and the apocalypse. Mary is shown surrounded by angels that reach out to her, guiding her up to Heaven- where the holy trinity are waiting to crown her. This de...
This paper is a critical analysis of the Virgin Mary giving the Rosary to St. Dominic and St Catherine of Siena which is an iconic piece of art that is displayed in the Fine Arts Museum of the University Academic Center at Houston Baptist University. This art will be presented by detailing the description, the symbolism, a theory of the unknown artist and periods, and the aesthetics of truth, beauty and spirituality.
Meditation is an age-old practice that has renewed itself in many different cultures and times. Despite its age, however, there remains a mystery and some ambiguity as to what it is, or even how one performs it. The practice and tradition of meditation dates back thousands of years having appeared in many eastern traditions. Meditation’s ancient roots cloud its origins from being attributed to a sole inventor or religion, though Bon, Hindu, Shinto, Dao, and later, Buddhism are responsible for its development. Its practice has permeated almost all major world religions, but under different names. It has become a practice without borders, influencing millions with its tranquil and healing effects.
Revelations of Divine Love is a 14th century masterpiece written by Julian of Norwich. This book is an account of St. Julian’s sixteen different mystical revelations in which she had encountered at a time of great suffering and illness. St. Julian focussed on the many “mysteries of Christianity.” Through her many revelations she encountered God’s vast love, the existence of evil, God’s heart for creation, the father and mother-heart of God, and the need to obey her Father in Heaven. Amongst these revelations the most powerful was the revelation of God’s love and character. Revelations of Divine Love is a wonderful source of revelation to connect a reader to the Father.
05 May 2014. Barbor, Cary. " The Science of Meditation.
Jesus turned ordinary water into magnificent wine to be enjoyed by all while at a wedding celebration in Cana in Galilee. Many believe this wine; his first public miracle, to be the start of his ministry and a symbol of the New Testament. This paper will show this miracle was truly the start of a new era; the era of the son of God, Jesus Christ.
Despite these dramatic and important events for the foundation of Christianity little detail is provided. “Nothing can be gleaned from Luke’s Gospel as to the physical setting in which the Annunciation took place, except that Luke says that the angel “went in and said to her, “Rejoice” (Luke 1:28)” (Williamson 20). Mary is described as a young virgin who is confused, disturbed, and frightened by the presence of Gabriel before her.
Story, Francis. "Buddhist Meditation." Access to Insight: Readings in Theravada Buddhism. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.