Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom and the Call to Conversion
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‘The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel’ (Mk 1:15).
This Luminous Mystery can be understood very broadly as the whole public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, lasting three years, but for the sake of meditation during the Rosary we can focus on the very beginning. That is where we see the essence of the proclamation of the kingdom of God.
The beginning of Jesus’s preaching mission is to call us to conversion. Our sins have led us away from God; and that is very foolish, not just wicked, because we cannot find happiness apart from God. Just as a sick person cannot be healed unless they admit their frailty and visit the doctor, so we cannot be forgiven without acknowledging our sins: ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’ (Mt 9:13). Through the interior liberty gained by our conversion, we are simultanesouly freed from all kinds of external oppressions; Christ came ‘to preach good news to the poor’, that is, to bring healing and peace to all who suffer (cf. Lk 4:18).
When he sends out the 70 disciples, Jesus makes it clear that they are on a mission of peace (Lk 10). They are to bring peace and healing to every house they enter. No wonder, then, that the disciples ‘returned with joy’. Jesus warns them not to rejoice in the wonders and miracles they worked, but ‘rejoice that your names are written in heaven’. Our true joy comes from our own conversion – we were sinners, but we have been healed. We must become more like Mary, whose pure heart enabled her to play her part in the coming of the kingdom on earth.
This task of proclamation, however, is not an easy one. In the sending of the Twelve (Mt 10), they go out ‘as sheep in the midst of wolves’, yet Jesus tells them to ‘have no fear’. The proclamation of good news is its own reward. Dominicans are vowed especially to this preaching mission and, like all Christian witnesses, we must go out not trusting in our own gifts or righteousness, but knowing ourselves to be sinners redeemed, with the love of God in our hearts.
The Christian paradox is that we live in this world with our hearts burning for the next. The world is fallen, redeemed, and awaiting its re-creation. The kingdom of God is already and not yet; now is the time for mission.
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A Website Visitor
Finally understand this! Very good explanation. Thank you and saving this to show husband that probably knows this but is sleeping. I went to Public School for High School and missed out on a good education.
A Website Visitor
Hallelujah! A link which FINALLY explains this mystery! Thank you so very much. I’ve tried to grasp this concept but was always at loose ends for this decade of the rosary.
A Website Visitor
I was struggling during Adoration with this mystery. Thanks for the clear explanation!
A Website Visitor
The third Rosary mystery in each set of five is always pivotal, but I never could quite grasp this one. It always seemed rather flat, but I have also learned that such dryness is usually a tip-off to me that something will prove more important to me, not less. The sacrament of reconciliation is the centerpiece here, not some hand waving regarding the Kingdom. More motivation and clarity for me that I must persevere regarding the knots that have kept me from following through on a life-long intention to become Roman Catholic!
A Website Visitor
When I pray this decade, I reflect upon one specific proclamation Jesus made for each ‘Hail Mary’.
A Website Visitor
You have opened my eyes and I can now see. Your explanation of the proclamation of the kingdom was simple yet so full of meaning. Have no idea why I could not grasp this for so many years. When the student is ready a teacher appears. I pray I will always remain teachable. Thank you.
A Website Visitor
Thanks for this explanation. I now have a clearer understanding of this mystery – which has mystified me since I first heard it. I finally decided to investigate a little. I think the linkage with the sacrament of reconciliation is important and not at all clear with only a superficial reading. Thanks again.
A Website Visitor
Thank you for explaining this so clearly. I had an idea but this puts it in simple terms. I hope to never miss another opportunity to learn more about our Mysteries. God’s Blessings.
A Website Visitor
Thanks for describing Mary’s role in proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Already & Not Yet
A Website Visitor
Thank you so much for this explanation. This has helped me a great deal. I pray the rosary for the most part everyday but I know we are asked by our Blessed Mother to meditate on them and this has helped me do that. To think about my own conversion and also more broadly conversion of others in Jesus ministry.
A Website Visitor
Is there 70 or 72? Luke describes 72!!
A Website Visitor
Thank you so much for this beautiful reflection. My husband and I have a rosary ministry in the US. We lead the rosary simultaneously on a conference call line and on FB live. We have been doing this for 6 years and I am always in search of good meditations to share with those praying with us. I will be sharing this reflection soon! For anyone interested in joining us the conference call is free for those in US. Dial 712-775-7031 and then enter access code 665-735-271#. For those outside of US you can join Via FB by liking Kathleen O’Donnell. The rosary is prayed every Wednesday at 7:30pm and every Sunday at 4:00pm EST. We make no monetary gains for any of this. It is all done for the glory and honor of God & in obedience to Our Lady’s request to spread the devotion of her most holy rosary.
A Website Visitor
Thanks for explaining this mystery in such a complete way
A Website Visitor
Thank you
A Website Visitor
yay a link about this mystery 🙂
A Website Visitor
Thank you for this wonderful explanation.
A Website Visitor
I’ve been wondering what The Proclamation of the Kingdom is all about until I came across GodzDogz. The explanation was simple, easy to understand that is. Now I can reflect better while reciting the Holy Rosary of our Blessed Virgin Mary. Thank you so much! ?