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Day 126: Fire of Love

The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Published: Tue May 06 2025

God desires the fire of his love to burn always in our hearts, says St. Alphonsus Liguori. Fr. Mark-Mary explains that we can kindle this fire of the Holy Spirit through the  wood of the cross and the oxygen of prayer. We meditate on the Holy Spirit’s ability to transform us and growing our receptivity to his love. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Summary

Summary of "Day 126: Fire of Love" – The Rosary in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames

Released on May 6, 2025

Introduction

In the 126th episode of Ascension's The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, delves deep into the transformative power of love fueled by the Holy Spirit. Titled "Fire of Love," this episode invites listeners to ignite and sustain the divine fire within their hearts through prayer and meditation on the Rosary.

Opening Prayer and Resources (00:00 - 03:45)

The episode commences with a brief introduction where Fr. Mark-Mary provides resources for listeners to engage more deeply with the Rosary in a Year. He highlights:

  • Prayer Plan Access: Available at Ascension Press or via text by sending "RIY" to 33777.
  • Podcast Availability: Encourages downloading the Ascension app for enhanced features and full Rosary recordings.
  • Recommended Reading: The Rosary in the Year Prayer Guide by Ascension, which complements the podcast with daily scripture readings, saintly reflections, and sacred art imagery.

Meditation on the Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit (03:46 - 12:30)

Fr. Mark-Mary introduces the day's focus: the third Glorious Mystery of the Rosary—The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He emphasizes the significance of this mystery in fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary.

Reading from Saint Alphonsus Liguori (03:50 - 09:20)

Fr. Mark-Mary shares an extended reading from Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s The Way of Salvation. This passage beautifully illustrates the perpetual fire of God's love within our hearts, likening it to the fire kept on the altar in the Old Law. Notable excerpts include:

  • “St. Gregory says that the altars of God are our heart, in which he desires that the fire of his love should always burn.” (05:30)
  • “The gift of love which the Lord infuses into our souls... is particularly attributed to the Holy Spirit.” (07:10)
  • “Love cannot remain idle and never says it is enough.” (08:45)

Fr. Mark-Mary expresses his admiration for this reading, highlighting its resonance with the episode's theme: “This reading from Saint Alphonsus Liguori... it is fire.” (09:05)

Reflection on the Holy Spirit’s Fire (09:21 - 20:00)

Building on the reading, Fr. Mark-Mary explores the metaphor of fire as the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives. He elaborates on two primary ways to nurture this divine fire:

  1. The Wood of the Cross:

    • “As we accept the cross, as we carry with Jesus the cross, the wood of the cross is placed on the altar of our hearts and it feeds the fire...” (12:15)
    • Emphasizes embracing suffering and challenges as means to strengthen one's faith and love.

  2. The Oxygen of Prayer:

    • “Prayer is to the fire of the Holy Spirit burning within us as oxygen is to natural fire.” (15:40)
    • Highlights the necessity of prayer in sustaining and growing the divine fire. Without prayer, the flame of love and faith dims, but with persistent prayer, it burns brighter and purifies the soul.

Call to Action: Ignite the Fire (20:01 - 25:30)

Fr. Mark-Mary urges listeners to actively seek the Holy Spirit’s fire through dedicated prayer. He encourages prayers such as:

  • “Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Fire, and enkindle us with the same love.” (21:10)
  • “May the same spirit burn within us and transform us from within.” (22:45)

He ties this personal transformation to the collective grace offered through the Rosary, stating:

“This is the aim of the Rosary in a Year podcast... coming to the fire through prayer, coming to this blessed furnace that we ourselves might also become fire.” (23:50)

Guided Rosary Prayer (25:31 - 34:00)

The episode transitions into a guided Rosary session, focusing on the third Glorious Mystery. Fr. Mark-Mary leads listeners through each prayer, interspersed with meditations on the descent of the Holy Spirit and its fiery manifestation at Pentecost.

Conclusion and Encouragement (34:01 - 37:15)

As the Rosary concludes, Fr. Mark-Mary offers final reflections:

  • Baptismal Fire: Reminds listeners that baptism initiates the divine fire within, but continuous efforts through prayer are essential to sustain it.
  • Community Building: Emphasizes the collective journey of the Rosary in a Year, fostering a community of believers united in the Holy Spirit's love.

He closes with a heartfelt blessing: “God bless y'all.” (36:50)

Post-Episode Promotion (37:16 - End)

Fr. Mark-Mary briefly promotes his new book, Eight Promises of God: Discovering Hope through the Beatitudes. He explains how the Beatitudes provide answers to living a life aligned with Jesus, encouraging listeners to explore and deepen their trust in God’s promises.

Key Takeaways

  • Divine Fire as Love: The Holy Spirit’s fire symbolizes God's enduring love within believers, inspiring acts of charity, sacrifice, and devotion.
  • Sustaining the Fire: Embracing the cross and maintaining a robust prayer life are essential to nurturing and sustaining this divine fire.
  • Community and Growth: Engaging with the Rosary in a structured yearly journey fosters personal growth and communal grace.

Notable Quotes

  • “St. Gregory says that the altars of God are our heart, in which he desires that the fire of his love should always burn.” – Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (05:30)
  • “Prayer is to the fire of the Holy Spirit burning within us as oxygen is to natural fire.” – Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (15:40)
  • “This is the aim of the Rosary in a Year podcast... coming to the fire through prayer...” – Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (23:50)

Closing Thoughts

"Fire of Love" serves as a spiritual beacon, guiding listeners to deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames masterfully intertwines scriptural insights, saintly wisdom, and practical advice to inspire a fervent and enduring faith. Whether you're new to the Rosary or seeking to rekindle your devotion, this episode offers profound reflections and actionable steps to ignite the divine fire within.

Resources Mentioned:

No transcript available.