The Rosary in a Year: Day 117 – "Come Down, Peter" with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames

Released on April 27, 2025

Introduction

In Day 117 of Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, leads listeners through a profound meditation on the Transfiguration, one of the Rosary's fourth luminous mysteries. Fr. Ames emphasizes the transformative power of the Rosary in fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary, ultimately becoming a source of grace for the entire world.

Meditation on the Transfiguration

Fr. Ames begins by delving into St. Augustine's interpretation of Peter’s role during the Transfiguration. He reads from Augustine’s Sermon 28, highlighting Peter’s desire to remain on the mountain and his proposal to build three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Augustine interprets this as Peter's attempt to compartmentalize Christ's divine roles, which contradicts the unified nature of Jesus as the Word of God.

Notable Quote:

"Come down, Peter, you were desiring to rest on the mount. Come down, preach the word, be instant in season, out of season..."
(Fr. Ames, 15:30)

Fr. Ames explains that Augustine counsels Peter to engage actively in preaching and suffering for the faith, rather than seeking solitude and rest. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, urging believers to participate in the world while maintaining their spiritual integrity.

Authenticity of Saints’ Quotes

Transitioning from Augustine, Fr. Ames shares an insightful anecdote about St. Francis of Assisi, highlighting the common issue of misattributed quotes. He references the Missionaries of Charity’s efforts to clarify falsely attributed sayings, drawing a parallel to the inaccurate quotes often associated with St. Francis.

Notable Quote:

"The real St. Francis is just so much more inspiring than the sort of the wall quote, the inspirational quote, St. Francis."
(Fr. Ames, 22:45)

Fr. Ames laments that these inauthentic quotes can obscure the true depth and beauty of St. Francis’s teachings, which are far more profound and authentic than the simplified versions often circulated.

Balancing Contemplative and Active Life

Fr. Ames relates the discussion back to St. Francis, recounting a story where Francis advises a friar contemplating the hermitage. He draws parallels between Augustine’s message to Peter and Francis’s guidance, emphasizing the necessity of engaging with the world rather than retreating from it.

Notable Quote:

"We need both daily prayer, but also, trust that all of that stuff that's happening sort of in the grind, right in the... in our daily life and our daily labors, like, all of that is forming us ultimately into the image of God."
(Fr. Ames, 35:10)

Using the metaphor of forging a sword, Fr. Ames illustrates the interplay between contemplative prayer (the fire) and active living (the hammer strokes). He underscores that both aspects are essential in shaping believers into the likeness of God.

Practical Insights for Listeners

Addressing the challenges faced by many, particularly those with increasing responsibilities like parenthood or demanding careers, Fr. Ames offers encouragement. He acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining focused prayer amidst daily anxieties but reassures listeners that God is at work in their struggles.

Notable Quote:

"Trust that God is working here and actually in a more deep, like, deep and beautiful way than he was before."
(Fr. Ames, 47:20)

He urges listeners to persevere in prayer and trust that their daily hardships are shaping them spiritually, just as life's trials forge a sword in fire. Fr. Ames emphasizes that God’s grace is actively forming believers through both prayer and daily experiences.

Conclusion and Prayer

Fr. Ames concludes the episode with a heartfelt prayer, asking for renewed trust in God's grace amidst daily life’s challenges. He invites listeners to embrace both their contemplative and active lives, trusting that God is transfiguring them through every aspect of their existence.

The episode wraps up with a traditional Rosary prayer, reinforcing the themes discussed and inviting listeners to continue their journey in the Rosary in a Year program.

Final Thoughts

Day 117 of The Rosary in a Year podcast offers a rich exploration of integrating deep prayer with active living. Through the teachings of St. Augustine and reflections on St. Francis, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames provides valuable insights into balancing contemplation and participation in the world. His encouragement to trust in God's transformative work resonates deeply, offering hope and guidance for believers navigating the complexities of daily life.

Listeners are reminded of the importance of both seeking spiritual solitude and engaging actively with the world, trusting that each aspect contributes to their sanctification and alignment with God’s will.

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