Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: Carrying the Cross Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka John 19:17 says Jesus carried the cross himself to Golgotha, or "Place of the Skull." The other Gospels say a man named Simon carried it for him (Luke 23:26, Mark 15:21, Matthew 27:32). "And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Scourging at the Pillar Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka In the Gospels, we read that Pilate recognized Jesus' innocence. Pilate hoped to satisfy the crowd by whipping Jesus, then letting him go. We know the crowd did not accept that and pressured Pilate to execute Jesus. So, in [...]
Molokai History: [from "Place Names of Hawaii", Pukui, Elbert & Mookini, Revised Edition, Univ. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1976] 'Awahua: Bay west of Ka-laupapa peninsula, meaning: bitterness 'Ekaha-nui: Land section, wind and cave near the head of Lepelepe Gulch, near Kamalo, south Moloka'i, meaning: large bird's nest fern 'Elelu: Land section, eastern Moloka'i, meaning: cockroach [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Agony in the Garden Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka As we begin the Sorrowful Mysteries, we meditate on Jesus' passion. These meditations are Good Friday moments, all drawing from the Gospels of Palm Sunday and Good Friday. The First Sorrowful Mystery, The Agony in the Garden, is an [...]
Molokai History: [from "Hawaii Place Names", Revised Edition, Pukui, Elbert & Mookini, UH Press, 1974] Alanui-puhi-paka: Ridge and road, East Molokai, meaning: smoke tobacco road (said to be a place where people pause to smoke and rest). Alapa'i: Coastal area, North Molokai, probably named for Alapa'i-nui, leader of the Hawai'i forces that invaded Maui in [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: Institution of the Eucharist Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Pope St. John Paul II said that each of the Luminous Mysteries is "a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus." The Institution of the Holy Eucharist could be the ultimate mystery. In the Fifth [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Transfiguration Submitted by DeaconJim Krupka The Fourth Luminous Mystery, the Transfiguration, continues unveiling Jesus' human and divine nature. As Pope John Paul II announced the addition of the five luminous mysteries, he called them the mysteries of light. The Transfiguration is a profound mystery of light told in [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: the Wedding at Cana Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka The Second Luminous Mystery, the Wedding at Cana, gives us Jesus' first miracle. In the context of Jesus' miracles, it is mysterious why he chose this occasion to reveal his divine power. Jesus' miracles usually involve healing and things as [...]
Molokai History: [from "Hawaii Place Names, Revised Edition"] The following place names are found on Molokai: 'Aha-'ino: Land divisions, gulch & peak; East Molokai; meaning: unpleasant assembly 'Ai-kanaka: An ancient name for Pu-ko'o harbor where inhabitants were washed into the ocean by a Kona storm and eaten by sharks. Pandanus groves here produced fine fruit; [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Presentation Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Living true to Jewish Law, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to present their firstborn Son to God. The fourth Joyful Mystery calls us to ponder the meaning of this ritual presentation. Luke is the only Gospel writer to mention the Presentation. [...]