Day 114: Baptized with Him

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 114: Baptized with Him)

Host: Ascension
Guest: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Episode Title: Day 114: Baptized with Him
Podcast Description: In Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through a transformative journey in prayer, fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.

---

1. Introduction

The episode opens with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames welcoming listeners to Day 114 of the "Rosary in a Year" series. He emphasizes the podcast’s mission to lead listeners into a profound relationship with Jesus and Mary through structured prayer and meditation, ultimately becoming a wellspring of grace for the world.

Notable Quote:

"Through prayer and meditation, 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)

---

2. Accessing Resources and Tools

Fr. Mark-Mary provides listeners with practical resources to enhance their prayer journey. He highlights the availability of the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide, which complements the podcast with daily Scripture readings, saintly reflections, and sacred art. He also encourages the use of the Ascension app for accessing special features and full Rosary recordings.

Notable Quote:

"I encourage you to pick up a copy of the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide... you'll find all the daily readings from Scripture, Saint reflections, and beautiful full-page images of the sacred art we'll be reflecting on today."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (00:13)

---

3. Exploring the First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus

The focus of today's meditation is the Baptism of Jesus, the first luminous mystery of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary introduces St. Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the Cappadocian Fathers, whose insightful work, Oration 39, delves into the theological significance of this event.

Notable Quote:

"We're meditating upon and praying with the first luminous mystery, the Baptism of Jesus... with help from St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his work, Oration 39."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (00:27)

---

4. Theological Insights from St. Gregory of Nazianzus

Fr. Mark-Mary offers an engaging background on St. Gregory of Nazianzus, highlighting his contributions alongside St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa. He shares an anecdote from his seminary days that underscores the deep friendship and collaborative theology of the Cappadocian Fathers, particularly their work on articulating the Holy Trinity.

Notable Quote:

"Their writings and their work were profoundly influential, especially on offering us some of the language and understanding necessary for properly understanding the most Holy Trinity..."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (02:00)

---

5. Reading and Analysis of Oration 39

Fr. Mark-Mary reads a passage from St. Gregory of Nazianzus’s Oration 39, reflecting on the baptism of Christ. He interprets the text, emphasizing that Jesus' baptism signifies the burial of original sin and the opening of heaven, which was previously sealed by Adam’s sin.

Notable Quote:

"Baptism of Jesus... the heavens which Adam had shut because of his sin are now opened by the new Adam."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (05:46)

He further explains the dual significance of baptism at the Jordan and Christ’s baptism through martyrdom, linking these events to the overall narrative of salvation and the establishment of a new covenant.

Notable Quote:

"What Gregory sees here at the baptism is Jesus, like taking into the waters the sin of Adam where it is buried. And then he comes out of the water, and with him all of humanity."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (07:00)

---

6. The Symbolism of the Holy Spirit

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove during Jesus' baptism. Fr. Mark-Mary connects this to the dove from Noah’s Ark, symbolizing the end of the deluge (sin) and the beginning of new life. He underscores the Holy Spirit’s divinity and personhood, as articulated by St. Gregory.

Notable Quote:

"The Holy Spirit descends from heaven in the form of a dove as a divine person. The Holy Spirit is God, and he is being manifest at the Jordan."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (08:19)

---

7. Practical Application: Entering the Ark through Baptism

Fr. Mark-Mary draws a parallel between Noah’s Ark and Christian baptism. Just as Noah was saved from the flood by remaining in the ark, believers are called to remain in Christ through baptism to withstand the storms of life. This metaphor serves as an encouragement for listeners to steadfastly cling to their faith.

Notable Quote:

"Through baptism, we enter the ark. And as Noah had to remain in the ark, so you and I need to remain in Christ, but in Him."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (08:22)

---

8. Prayer Session

The episode transitions into a guided prayer session, led collaboratively by Fr. Mark-Mary and a Franciscan Friar. They recite the Our Father and multiple Hail Marys, reflecting the structure of the Rosary. The prayers are interspersed with interjections from a Monsignor, affirming each prayer segment.

Notable Quote:

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..."
– Prayer Recitation (09:49)

The repetitive nature of the Hail Marys emphasizes meditation and contemplation, aligning listeners’ thoughts with the themes discussed earlier.

---

9. Conclusion

Fr. Mark-Mary wraps up the episode by thanking listeners for joining the prayer session. He expresses anticipation for continuing the prayer journey in the following days, reinforcing the community aspect of the podcast.

Notable Quote:

"Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow."
– Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (12:58)

---

Key Takeaways

• Baptism as Salvation: The baptism of Jesus marks the eradication of original sin and the opening of heaven, symbolizing the beginning of humanity’s path to salvation.

• Holy Trinity Understanding: The insights from St. Gregory of Nazianzus enhance the understanding of the Holy Trinity, particularly the personhood of the Holy Spirit.

• Symbolism of Water and the Dove: Water represents the cleansing of sin, while the dove signifies the divine presence and the promise of new beginnings.

• Living in Christ: Baptism is portrayed as entering a divine ark, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst life’s challenges.

• Community and Continuity: The podcast fosters a sense of community through shared prayer and the structured progression of the Rosary in a Year plan.

---

Conclusion

Day 114 of "The Rosary in a Year" podcast offers a profound meditation on the Baptism of Jesus, enriched by theological insights from St. Gregory of Nazianzus. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames skillfully intertwines scripture, tradition, and practical faith application, guiding listeners towards a deeper spiritual life through the Rosary. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the Rosary, this episode provides valuable reflections and a supportive framework for enhancing your prayer practice.

For more resources and to follow the complete prayer plan, visit Ascension Press.

Transcript

[Mark Murray]

Foreign Mark Murray with Franciscan Friars of Renewal and this is the Rosary in Year podcast where through prayer and meditation, the Rosary brings us deeper into relationship.

[Franciscan Friar]

With Jesus and Mary and becomes a.

[Mark Murray]

Source of grace for the whole world. The Rosary in a Year is brought to you by Ascension. This is day 114. To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosaryinayear or text R I Y to 33777. You'll get an outline of how we're going to pray each month and it's a great way to track your progress. The best place to listen to the podcast is in the Ascension app. There are special features built just for this podcast and also recordings of the full Rosary with myself and other friars. I encourage you to pick up a copy of the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide, a book published by Ascension that was designed to complement this podcast. You'll find all the daily readings from Scripture, Saint reflections and beautiful full page images of the sacred art we'll be reflecting on today. We'll be meditating upon and praying with the first luminous mystery, the Baptism of Jesus, with help from St. Gregory of Naziensis and his work oration 39. The point of emphasis of our meditation is going to be our salvation is in Jesus. All right, we got a new author. So a little introduction to St. Gregory of Naziensis. Born in 329, died in the year 374. He is part of what are called the Cappadocian fathers along with St. Basil the Great or some call it St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa. St. Basil the Great and St Gregory of Nyssa were brothers and St. Basil and our St. Gregory, St. Gregory of Naziensis were very close friends. Which brings us to if you'll let me, one of my very all time favorite stories of seminary is when we were talking about the Cappadocian Fathers and we just learned that you know, Basil and Gregory of Nyssa were brothers and then Basil and Gregory of Nazienzas were really good friends and one of the New York seminarians was like oh, so professor, so you're saying that they were boys and him not aware of this slang gets very serious and very literal and says like boys, no, they were men, they were men. They were not boys. Anyway, it was very funny. So anyway, in that class we learned about the Cappadocian Fathers and our professor Monsignor learned that boys in common parlance these days can also mean bros or very close friends. So I'll always remember the Cappadocian Fathers, more importantly about St. Gregory of Naziensis and really the Cappadocian Fathers, is that their writings and their work were profoundly, profoundly influential, especially on offering us some of the language and the understanding necessary for proper, properly understanding the most Holy Trinity and some of the language of one one God, like one divine nature and three divine persons, and also particularly St. Gregory of Naziensis. He did a great job at helping us to understand and really to teach the true nature of the Holy Spirit as sharing in this divine nature, as being a divine person. St. Gregory is a doctor of the church, as I said, a member of the Cappadocian Fathers. At times he's been called Gregory the Theologian, and at other times he's called one of the boys with St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa. So now our reading from St. Gregory of Naziensis and his oration. 39 Christ is illumined. Let us shine forth with him. Christ is baptized. Let us descend with him, that we may also ascend with him. But John baptizes Jesus comes to him perhaps to sanctify the Baptist himself, but certainly to bury the whole of the old Adam in the water, and before this, and for the sake of this, to sanctify Jordan. For as he is spirit and flesh, so he consecrate to us by Spirit and water. I have no need to be baptized by you, says the voice to the word, the friend to the bridegroom, he that is above all among them that are born of women, to him who is the firstborn of every creature, he who was and is to be the forerunner to him who was and is to be manifested. I have need to be baptized by you. Add to this and for you for he knew that he would be baptized by martyrdom. But what says Jesus? Allow it to be so now. For this is the time of his incarnation, for he knew that yet a little while and he should baptize the Baptist. And what is the fire, the consuming of the chaff, and the heat of the Spirit? Jesus goes up out of the water, for with himself he carries up the world, and sees the heaven opened, which Adam had shut against himself and all his posterity, as the gates of paradise by the flaming sword. And the Spirit bears witness to his Godhead, for he descends upon one that is like him, as does the voice from heaven. For he to whom the witness is born came from thence and like a dove, for he honors the body for this also was God, through its union with God by being seen in a bodily form. And moreover the dove has from distant Ages been want to proclaim the end of the deluge, the end of the reading. Thanks be to God. What we'll see Here is, right, St. Gary, Gary's particular awareness and his commitment to a proper understanding, a true understanding of the most Holy Trinity. And this writing offers us a couple of really beautiful images from Scripture.

[Franciscan Friar]

The first is this.

[Mark Murray]

For with himself he carries up the world and sees the heaven open, which Adam had shut against himself and all his posterity as the gates of paradise by the flaming sword. Like, do you understand all the illusions here? Right after the sin of Adam, Adam and evil were banished from the Garden of Eden. And at the entrance was placed a cherubim with a flaming sword through sin. And because of sin, man was banished from Eden. The gates of heaven were closed. And this is revealed right through the angel and his flaming sword. So this is all Genesis 3. What Gregory sees here at the baptism, in the rending of the heavens, is Jesus, like taking into the waters the sin of Adam where they are buried. And then he comes out of the water, and with him all of humanity. And in this act, the heavens which Adam had shut because of his sin, are now opened by the new Adam. Just a little note here, right? Like Jesus uses the word baptism, referring to this baptism, the baptism at the Jordan, but also to the baptism of his passion. We see here at this baptism at the Jordan by John, an opening of the heavens. But then, right, if you remember, at his baptism on the cross, the veil to the temple, the veil to the Holy of holies is torn open, which also refers to this opening of heaven, the new access that man has to God. I think we could say that what begins at the baptism at the Jordan is perfected and completed by the Lord's baptism at Calvary. And secondly, what we see here is the emphasis on the divinity of the Holy Spirit being communicated at the baptism of our Lord. St. Gregory, he takes time to make clear that the Holy Spirit, he descends from heaven in the form of a dove as a divine person. The Holy Spirit is God, and he is being manifest at the Jordan. Also the Holy Spirit, he comes in the form of a dove. And this hearkens back to the dove which Noah released from the ark in Genesis chapter 8. The dove which, as St. Gregory notes, indicates the end of the deluge or the flood, it indicates the beginning of something new, the beginning of new life. And so the scent of the dove.

[Franciscan Friar]

Now not like a bird, but the Holy Spirit in the form of a.

[Mark Murray]

Dove, it descends not upon the ark, like made of wood, but it descends upon Jesus what we call like the perfect ark, the one alone through whom we will have eternal salvation. As the ark, right. Saved Noah from the flood. Our Lord saves us from, if you will, the existential flood, the result of sin. So as we pray today, we can focus on a couple of things. We can focus on the Holy Spirit as Lord. We can rejoice in the opening of heavens. Or you can join me in my prayer today in recognizing anew the person of Jesus and my baptism into his mystical body as the means of my eternal salvation. It's through baptism, if you will, we enter the ark. And as Noah, obviously he had to remain in the ark. So you and I, we need to remain in Christ, but in him. If we remain in him, we are sure to weather any storm. And he'll bring us to the perfect new creation, the perfect new Eden. Eternal life with the most Holy Trinity.

[Franciscan Friar]

And now with Mary. Let us pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Mark Murray]

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

[Franciscan Friar]

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we.

[Mark Murray]

Forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but.

[Franciscan Friar]

Deliver us from evil.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

[Monsignor]

Amen.

[Franciscan Friar]

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. All right.

[Mark Murray]

Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today.

[Franciscan Friar]

I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow.

[Mark Murray]

Poco. Poco. Friends, God bless.