Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 125: Hold Fast to Christ)
Host: Ascension
Guest: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Podcast Description: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through a transformative journey of praying the Rosary over a year, deepening their relationship with Jesus and Mary through incremental steps, fostering a life enriched with prayer and charity.
Introduction
In Day 125: Hold Fast to Christ, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames delves into the profound connection between holding fast to Christ and the practice of charity. This episode emphasizes the vital role of good works in nurturing one’s spiritual life and ascending alongside Jesus through acts of love and generosity.
Meditation on the Ascension of Our Lord
Timestamp [00:00]
Fr. Mark-Mary begins the episode by meditating on the second Glorious Mystery of the Rosary—the Ascension of Jesus Christ. He references a poignant excerpt from St. Augustine’s Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament, Sermon 41, which underscores the importance of holding fast to Christ through charity:
"Do you wish to ascend? Hold fast to him that ascends, for by your own self you cannot rise... Let everyone then do what he can for others."
— St. Augustine, Sermon 41 [00:15]
This foundational message sets the stage for exploring how charitable works are intrinsically linked to our spiritual ascent.
The Power of Charity in Christian Life
Timestamp [04:30]
Fr. Mark-Mary elaborates on the theme of charity as a means to cling to Christ, drawing parallels with the teachings of Matthew 25. He explains how acts of charity, such as feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, are not merely good deeds but essential elements that solidify our relationship with Jesus:
"Because they didn't do this for the neighbor, they didn't do it for him, and they've ruptured that relationship." [06:45]
He emphasizes that these actions are manifestations of our love for Christ, enabling us to ascend with Him.
Personal Anecdote: The Value of Listening
Timestamp [08:00]
Fr. Mark-Mary shares a heartfelt story from his time in Guatemala, illustrating the essence of charity through simple acts of listening:
"What I have to give is when I encounter somebody who's lonely and who needs to talk, I can be a friend... this is what clinging to Jesus looks like." [09:15]
This anecdote highlights that charity doesn't always require grand gestures; sometimes, being present and attentive is a profound act of love and service.
Connecting Augustine’s Teachings to Daily Life
Timestamp [05:20]
Referencing St. Augustine again, Fr. Mark-Mary underscores the practicality of living out one’s faith through daily acts of kindness:
"We have nothing we can do for God, but because we have something, we may do for our neighbor, we shall by our good offices to the needy gain his favor." [07:00]
He encourages listeners to find accessible ways to serve others, regardless of their circumstances, reinforcing that every small act contributes to our spiritual growth and ascent with Christ.
The Role of Good Works in Ascension
Timestamp [09:50]
Exploring the connection between good works and ascension, Fr. Mark-Mary references the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, illustrating how our actions towards others reflect our relationship with Jesus:
"Right, that which you did for the least of my brethren, you did it for me." [10:05]
He reiterates that ascending with Christ is achieved through persistent and heartfelt charity, making our love for God tangible through our service to others.
Conclusion and Prayer
Timestamp [13:35]
Fr. Mark-Mary concludes the episode with a heartfelt prayer, asking for the grace to ascend with the Lord by abiding in Him and practicing charity:
"Let us ask for the grace to ascend with the Lord... to love him through those we are invited to serve in our family, in our community, in our world." [12:00]
He wraps up with the Rosary, guiding listeners through the prayers, reinforcing the episode’s theme of holding fast to Christ through prayer and works of love.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Timestamp [13:52]
In his closing remarks, Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to deepen their understanding of the Beatitudes through his new book, Eight Promises of God: Discovering Hope through the Beatitudes. He connects the Beatitudes to living a life of compassion and trust in God's promises:
"In this book, we'll learn from the example of the truly blessed ones, Our Lord and Our Lady, and how they practiced and lived the Beatitudes." [13:00]
Listeners are encouraged to continue their journey of faith and charity by engaging with both the Rosary in a Year prayer plan and his insightful writings.
Notable Quotes
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St. Augustine on Charity:
"Let everyone then do what he can for others. Let him freely bestow upon the needy from his superfluity." [00:15] -
Fr. Mark-Mary on Ascension:
"We ascend with him through charity." [09:30] -
Matthew 25 Reference:
"Right, that which you did for the least of my brethren, you did it for me." [10:05] -
Personal Anecdote Insight:
"What I have to give is when I encounter somebody who's lonely and who needs to talk, I can be a friend." [09:15]
Epilogue
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames effectively weaves theological insights with practical applications, urging listeners to embody their faith through unwavering charity. Day 125: Hold Fast to Christ serves as a compelling reminder that ascension is not a solitary journey but one intricately linked to our service and love for others, reflecting our deepest communion with Jesus and Mary.
For the complete prayer plan and to support this transformative journey, listeners are encouraged to visit Ascension Press.