Jesus Conquered Death
In The Resurrection
Giving You A New Life
"Who was delivered up for our sins, and rose again for our justification."
-Romans 4:25
When meditating upon The Resurrection, it may be useful to look at a picture of
this awesome event or listen to some uplifting music.
Be mindful that the fruit of this mystery is faith and recall
this scene at Jesus tomb as you make your meditations on the Rosary, particularly
on the first of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary which is the rising of Jesus
Easter Sunday.
After the crucifixion, the next event in the life of Jesus is the Resurrection.
This is the greatest of the miracles of Jesus.
Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb. The tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimethea.
The body of Jesus was hastily placed there without the usual burial ceremony because the
Sabbath was drawing near.
His body was wrapped in Linen and anointed with some spices.
Then a large rock was rolled in front of the tomb.
The enemies of Jesus and the High Priests went to Pilate. Knowing that Jesus promised
to rise from the dead on the third day, they asked that guards be placed at the
tomb in case the followers of Jesus came and stole His body in order to fool people
into believing that He did in fact rise from the dead.
Pilate did as they asked.
And so a guard was sent and secured the tomb.
After the Sabbath the Holy Women went to the tomb so they could finish anointing Jesus' body.
But, Jesus had already rose.
There was an earthquake and an angel came down from heaven, rolled back the stone,
and sat upon it. The guards were so frightened they ran away in fear.
Mary Magdalen was the first person to the tomb. She cried out in sorrow when
she saw that Jesus' body was missing for she thought it had been stolen.
Mary Magdalen ran to Peter and John. She cried, "They have taken away the Lord
out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him." -John 20:2
Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves. John, being much younger,
outran Peter and arrived first.
When Peter arrived he entered the tomb. There he saw that the linens that Jesus'
was wrapped in were on the floor but that the cloth that covered Jesus' face was
folded neatly and placed somewhere separate from the other linens.
At that moment they both believed that Jesus had risen as He said He would.
Meanwhile, Mary Magdalen remained outside the tomb, crying. Two angels appeared
to her and asked her why she was sad.
She answered...
"Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him."
-John 20:13
She turned around and saw Jesus standing there yet she did not recognize Him.
He asked her...
"Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener,
saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him,
and I will take him away. Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him:
Rabboni [which is to say, Master]. Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I
am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren." -John 20:15-18
She went back to the other disciples and proclaimed, "I have seen the Lord." But
they did not believe her.
The other woman later arrived at the tomb.
Upon entering they saw an angel sitting inside. He told them Jesus had risen.
Delighted, they ran back to tell the others. On the way they met a man clothed in white.
He told them...
"Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified:
he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell
his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall
see him, as he told you." -Mark 16:2-7
If you would like to read the full scriptural account of The Resurrection it can be found
in Matthew 27:60-28:9, Mark 16:2-11, Luke 23:54-56, and John 19:40-20:18.
Return to Glorious Mysteries page
More Meditations
On The Rosary Mystery The Resurrection...
"For to this end Christ died and rose again;
that he might be Lord both of the
dead and of the living."
-Romans 14:9
Below you will find some more reflection on the Resurrection mystery of the rosary.
Return often to this page when you are praying the Glorious Mystery of the rosay - The Resurrection. Make sure you bookmark this page
so you can find it easily...
You can also contribute your own meditations on this Rosary mystery by going here...
Below are some meditations to think about as you pray...
One of the corporal works of mercy is to bury the dead. Jesus died a disgraceful death but nevertheless He was buried in a very honorable way. Societies should always see to it that their dead are treated in a respectful way and properly buried and cared for.
Consider St. Paul's words...
"Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also
himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same: that, through death,
he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil:
And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject
to servitude." -Hebrews 2:14-15
Just as He foretold, Jesus rose on the third day.
He conquered death and took away it's power over humans through his resurrection.
You do not need to fear death.
Jesus has destroyed the devils power over you and if you follow God's commandments,
you will go to Heaven and experience eternal life because your soul never dies.
Jesus suffered, died, and rose again.
The angels who were keeping watch at the tomb of Jesus are demonstrating something here.
Those who go and adore Jesus in the tabernacle where He dwells on earth are following
their example.
You too should go from time to time and adore Jesus in this way.
A sin against the Holy Spirit is denying the truth when you know it and still resist it.
This sin was committed by the leaders at the time of Jesus. Many of them refused
to believe in Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
This same sin is committed in our time.
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One example of this is abortion. It is clear that life begins at conception.
Yet, many continue to deny this truth with word games and by redefining what "life"
and "rights" mean.
This is but one example in our modern so called moral code where our leaders
deny the truth that is staring them in the face in the natural order of things
and not to mention God's Own commands.
Do not fall for their lying and deceit. Just as the early Christians' did, keep your eye on Jesus and conform your life to His example and that of His Blessed Mother, Mary.
Do not harden your heart against the truth.
Always seek the truth no matter what the cost in your personal life.
When you seek the truth you will be on the road to peace.
Mary Magdalen is an example of attentiveness to duty.
She went to the tomb first thing in the morning before the sun even rose.
Try not become slothful and lazy in your spiritual life.
This is the quickest way for the peace and security you have found to diminish.
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Go to Mass
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Go to the sacrament of Penance
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Go to adoration
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Say your prayers, especially your daily Rosary accompanied by a scriptural Rosary.
Be faithful to these devotions and the peace you find will increase day by day.
If you abandon any of these practices, the peace you have received will vanish.
The dogma of the resurrection allows Jesus' followers to have a firm faith in all
His teachings.
When St. John saw the burial linens on the floor he remembered Jesus' words and believed.
You too can have a solid faith as St. John did.
The more you seek the truth the firmer your faith will become.
Mary Magdalen was weeping outside the tomb.
She felt sorrow because she thought she had lost Jesus.
This is true sorrow.
She was not weeping over worldly losses.
Consider the love and devotion of the Holy Women as they went to the tomb that first
Easter Sunday morning.
You should imitate their loving attitude when you go to church on Sundays, since every
Sunday is like a little Easter, celebrating the resurrection.
Don't think of it as a duty to get over with but rather as an opportunity to spend time
with God and to receive Jesus in Communion.
There are some parallels in the Mass and the account of the Holy Women.
You should go to Mass with a generous heart and when you leave you should spread
the Good News of Jesus' resurrection and life to all you meet.
That is the command Jesus gave the Holy Women as they left the tomb, "Go, tell my brethren".
-Matthew 28:10.
The church also tells you and me to go out spread and defend the faith.
The 12th promise of the Rosary is...
"To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities."
Spreading devotion to the Rosary kills two birds with one stone.
It fulfills the command of Jesus to spread the faith and it has attached to it this promise from Mary.
Consider this verse...
"Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where
Christ is sitting at the right hand of God." -Colossians 2:3:1
You must rise with Jesus to a newness and beauty of life by following His commandments.
This is the only path to true peace.
Prayer After Meditation
Upon The Resurrection
Dear Jesus, Thou gloriously rose from the dead and conquered death and gave life to us all.
I thank Thee for suffering then rising for love of me.
I am truly sorry for all the times I have offended Thee. Especially for the
opportunities I missed when I could have spread Thy holy Faith.
Opportunities that were missed out of fear and embarrassment. I am even more
sorry for the times when my bad example did not reflect my faith in Thee.
Lord, send me Thy graces so that my faith and fervor to follow Thee will increase
everyday so I will not miss any more opportunities to make others love Thee more.
Amen.
Visit the second Glorious Mystery page - The Ascension
Return to our Rosary Mysteries page
More scriptural meditations on the rosary - Jesus Resurrection here...
Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary
Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...
Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these
Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus.
They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on
the cross. Therefore read more...
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus
loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no
man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
-John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...
Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How
exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead,
making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious
events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...
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Return to our What is a Rosary page
Return to our Meditations on the Rosary page
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