Editor’s note: This is part of a series, “The Blended Rosary.” Read the intro and part 1 here.
The Second Mystery:
The Visitation; The Miracle at Cana; The Scourging at the Pillar; The Ascension
In the Second Mystery, we see a new development closely linked to the first; extending outward and bringing in new witnesses. As the work of God is made manifest, we are invited to join those who witness.
In the Second Joyful Mystery, Mary doesn’t keep the joy of the Good News to herself. She heeds and acts on the words of the Angel Gabriel in giving her the sign that her aged cousin Elizabeth has also conceived. She hastens to the hill country to visit and help her.
As she greets Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit is active in her words, quickening the unborn John the Baptist, who recognizes His Savior and leaps for joy within the womb of Elizabeth at her greeting. Simultaneously, Elizabeth is led by the Holy Spirit to a new recognition: “Blessed are you among women!… And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” The term “Mother of my Lord” or gebirah in Hebrew, was used in the time of the Davidic kings for the Queen Mother (the mother of reigning sovereign). This role of Queen was not merely honorary but was also emphatically intercessory—throughout Scripture we see Queens bringing petitions to the king on behalf of the people. And Mary prays, “My soul magnifies the Lord,” and joyfully adds to what Elizabeth had said: “Henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”
In the Second Luminous Mystery we see the first beginnings of Jesus’ public ministry following on His baptism. He is in Galilee, in a town near His home village, with at least a few of His earliest disciples. This is John’s Gospel, and therefore we should give full symbolic weight to Jesus’ presence at a marriage feast.
We hear first that Mary is there, and it seems that Jesus and His disciples are included rather than being the main guests. We hear Mary’s voice, when she speaks to her Son, the first, understated, public prayer of intercession: “They have no wine.”
Jesus’ reply at first sounds like a negative, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” This is one of only two times when Jesus calls His mother “woman” rather than what sounds to us like a more appropriate or more affectionate title. He calls her “woman” as Adam first called Eve “woman,” because as Jesus is the New Adam, Mary is the New Eve. The first Eve tempted Adam to sin, but Mary instead invites and encourages Jesus to step into His Messianic mission, the plan of the Father, by performing this first of His seven signs in John’s Gospel.
In full confidence in the goodness of her Son, Mary tells the servants, “Do whatever He tells you,” and the large water jugs set aside for ordinary ritual purification become extraordinary wine. And not just a little wine, but a superabundance of wine. The old use for ritual purification was a sign that those present were faithful to the demands of the covenant. But this sign ushers in a new covenant. This wine brings with it earthly joy, but is also the first public witness and sign of the new kingdom, and an eternal joy still to come when His “hour” is complete. And it is significant that these words of Mary, “Do whatever He tells you,” are her last recorded words in Scripture. We never hear her voice again.
In the Second Sorrowful Mystery we see how the Agony Jesus suffered, and His surrender to the will of His Father, is not abstract, but leads to His surrender to human authorities. He is arrested and sentenced and now the violence of His unmerited punishment begins.
He, the God-made-man who came to bring joy and salvation to all man, is now tied to a pillar, “the man of sorrows,” and will be mercilessly scourged. The soldiers (in contrast to the unborn John) have no idea about Who this prisoner is. Little do they know, the Blood they are drawing will become a still greater wine than was provided at Cana.
The Second Glorious Mystery continues and completes the earthly life of Jesus and the work of the resurrection. Risen from the grave, for forty days Jesus shows “by many proofs” that He is now alive. He no longer walks with them from day to day, but appears to them on certain occasions and at His discretion.
As the time draws near, He commissions them to become His witnesses—to proclaim to the world the fullness of the incarnation and the invitation to be baptized into His life. Yet it is not by their own power that they will preach or act; they are told rather to go to Jerusalem and await the coming of the Holy Spirit and the Power of God from On High. And He promises to be with us always, “even unto the end of the age.” When He actually ascends, they return to Jerusalem with joy.
As we contemplate this Second Mystery, we ask Mary to intercede for us—for our earthly needs and joy, but also for the New Wine of the Holy Spirit. We ask that we too might go out in charity to others, witnessing to the gift of His presence in our lives so that He might awaken their own joy as well.
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Image: Alonso Cano, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
