Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 48: Mother and Queen)
Episode Overview
In Day 48 of Ascension's "The Rosary in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, delves into the fifth Glorious Mystery: the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Released on February 17, 2025, this episode offers a profound exploration of Mary's queenship, her role as the Queen Mother, and her significance in deepening one's relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.
Key Topics Discussed
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Introduction to the Fifth Glorious Mystery
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames begins by outlining the focus of the day's reflection: the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. He references Revelation 12:1-5 to set the biblical foundation for understanding Mary's exalted status.
"The Rosary brings us deeper into relationship with Jesus and Mary and becomes a source of grace for the whole world." [00:00]
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Biblical Foundations: Revelation 12
The discussion centers on Revelation 12, where a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars represents Mary. Fr. Ames emphasizes the importance of also reading Revelation 11:19 to grasp the continuity of God's temple and the Ark of His Covenant.
"While we're not going to be able in the scope of this study... it is important to note that the woman clothed with the sun is consistently understood to represent an individual woman, Mary, but also the church." [10:15]
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Mary as the Queen Mother
Fr. Ames explains Mary's role as the Queen Mother, highlighting her relationship to Jesus as the new Davidic king. He connects this to Luke 1:32, where the angel Gabriel prophesies Jesus's eternal reign.
"Jesus is the king who reigns forever. And Mary is the mother of the new David, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the new king, and therefore is a fulfillment of the Old Testament reality." [20:45]
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Theological Insights from Dr. Brant Petrie
The podcast references Dr. Brant Petrie's work, "Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary," to shed light on the textual nuances of Revelation 12. Dr. Petrie's analysis underscores the significance of Mary's depiction in both individual and communal (church) contexts.
"One of the first things he does when he looks at Revelation chapter 12 is he points out that the numbering of the chapters is actually a later edition." [05:30]
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Mary's Authority and Veneration
Exploring Psalm 45, Fr. Ames discusses Mary's authority and her position at the right hand of Jesus. He differentiates between the veneration (Hyper Julia) owed to Mary and the adoration (Latria) reserved for God alone.
"The veneration that we have for Mary, it's called Hyper Julia, this highest form of veneration that we can give to a creature." [35:10]
He further quotes St. John Damascene to emphasize Mary's exalted role:
"Neither the human tongue nor the mind of the angels... can give worthy praise to her through whom it has been granted us to gaze clearly on the glory of the Lord." [38:25]
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Mary as Intercessor and Advocate
Fr. Ames highlights Mary's role as an intercessor, sharing in Jesus's authority and pouring out grace from heaven. He encourages listeners to trust in her intercession and honor her queenship.
"Mary as queen continues this role of the Queen Mother as being intercessor... she acts as intercessor for us, pouring out grace from heaven." [45:00]
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Practical Application: Honoring Mary in Prayer
The episode concludes with a call to honor Mary through prayer, emphasizing how veneration of Mary is intrinsically linked to honoring Jesus. Fr. Ames reinforces the idea that honoring Mary is a pathway to deepening one's relationship with Christ.
"Let us honor Mary, and we honor her with the highest honor that we can give to a created being. And it is itself a form of honor to Jesus." [50:50]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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"The Rosary brings us deeper into relationship with Jesus and Mary and becomes a source of grace for the whole world." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [00:00]
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"While we're not going to be able in the scope of this study... it is important to note that the woman clothed with the sun is consistently understood to represent an individual woman, Mary, but also the church." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [10:15]
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"Jesus is the king who reigns forever. And Mary is the mother of the new David, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the new king, and therefore is a fulfillment of the Old Testament reality." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [20:45]
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"One of the first things he does when he looks at Revelation chapter 12 is he points out that the numbering of the chapters is actually a later edition." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [05:30]
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"The veneration that we have for Mary, it's called Hyper Julia, this highest form of veneration that we can give to a creature." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [35:10]
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"Neither the human tongue nor the mind of the angels... can give worthy praise to her through whom it has been granted us to gaze clearly on the glory of the Lord." — St. John Damascene, quoted by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [38:25]
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"Mary as queen continues this role of the Queen Mother as being intercessor... she acts as intercessor for us, pouring out grace from heaven." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [45:00]
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"Let us honor Mary, and we honor her with the highest honor that we can give to a created being. And it is itself a form of honor to Jesus." — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [50:50]
Conclusion
Day 48 of "The Rosary in a Year" podcast offers a comprehensive and theologically rich reflection on Mary's coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames masterfully connects biblical scripture, theological insights, and practical applications to deepen listeners' understanding and devotion. By honoring Mary, believers not only venerate her but also enhance their relationship with Jesus, underscoring the Rosary's transformative power in the spiritual journey.
For those seeking to engage further, Fr. Ames recommends the "Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide" published by Ascension, which complements the podcast with daily readings, saint reflections, and sacred art.
Additional Resources
- Prayer Plan Download: ascensionpress.com/riy
- Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide: Available for purchase through Ascension Press
- Special Features: Accessible via the Ascension app, including full Rosary recordings with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames and other friars
End of Summary