
In today’s painting, The Healing of the Lepers at Capernum, Jesus has healed ten lepers, but only one returns to give thanks. In this mystery, the Kingdom of God is proclaimed to us, but just like the lepers, we have the option to receive and return with thanks or to ignore Jesus’ proclamation. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Proclamation of the Kingdom and the Call to Conversion and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary. All of the Sacred Art we’ll be meditating with can be found in the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide, for free linked in the complete prayer plan, or for free in the Ascension App. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Foreign Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars with Renewal and this is the Rosary in Year podcast, where 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. The Rosary in a Year is brought to you by Ascension. This is day 136. To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text RIY to 33 777. 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 in the Ascension app. There's special features built just for this podcast and also recordings of the full rosary with myself and other friars. No matter what app you're listening in, remember to tap, follow or subscribe for your daily notifications. Today we will be meditating upon and praying with the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with help from a painting entitled Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum by James Tissot. Now a brief introduction to our painting and artist. Our artist is James Tissot, who was born in the year 1886 and he died in the year 1894. He was born and died in France, but he lived in London for a time as well. Tissot's work he combines an element of Impressionism and realism, and even spent some of his time working as a characterist under a pseudonym. Generally, he focused on similar subjects for most of his career, but he turned to religious art near the end of his life after experiencing a reversion to Catholicism. In this particular painting, Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum, its style is realism and gooche. Now a description of our painting. On a cobblestone street, a man in tattered bandages falls to his knees. His arms are upraised, and he faces a group of men, one in a pure white garment, facing and placing his hand on the head of a young boy, another in fine yellow clothes, staring, gawking at the drama of the bandaged man. A tree grows in the midst of the stone town, casting shade on the thruway. An older woman comes out of a humble stone home on the street, her posture exuding promptness and care. The road is shadowed, but the home is bathed in light, and in the foreground is the solitary leper kneeling on a cobblestone street, reaching out, crying out to Jesus. Before getting into the painting specifically, let's go ahead and begin with a reminder of what we mean by the Kingdom of God or the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, right? It is God being God. It is the teacher teaching. It is the shepherd shepherding, the Savior saving and the healer healing. What's happening in this painting? Right? It's entitled the Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum. The Healer just healed 10 lepers. But as the Gospel tells us and as this painting depicts, only one returns, only one leper returns to give thanks. And here we encounter the foundational question, or we're offered a richer understanding of why we refer to the third Loomis mystery as the proclamation of the kingdom of God and the call to conversion. Like the kingdom of God, it is going to be proclaimed, but we have to receive it. We have to respond to can be proclaimed to us as profoundly as a leper being healed of his leprosy. But it doesn't guarantee that we will actually receive it. It doesn't guarantee that we'll actually come to Jesus to see him and to repent from all of the ways in which we are trying to enjoy the riches of the kingdom or the perks of the kingdom. Without relationship, loyalty and obedience to the King. And as God will be God, the Christian needs to be a Christian to like this solitary leper that we encounter in our painting today. To come to Jesus, to give thanks to Jesus, to live with a heart filled with gratitude to God. God is going to God. But are we like the Christian going to Christian? And by this I mean like we who are called to live in this kingdom of God. Like we need to worship the king, we need to remain in relationship with the king, to be obedient to the king, to trust the king, like he is God. He will lead us home. He will shepherd us, he will save us. He will have mercy on us. He will work for the good in all things if we let him. But we have to repent and believe the good news. We have to let him. As we pray today, let us kneel down next to this solitary man, just healed of his leprosy. And let us too raise our hands in our hearts in gratitude, in worship, in adoration, in surrender, in confident and hope filled dependence. Even today the kingdom of God is being proclaimed in our midst. Let us repent. Let us run to Jesus. Let us believe in the fullness of the gospel. Emmanuel, God is with us. And when we place our hope in him, we never hope in vain. And now with Mary, let us pray. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name 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 forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. 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. Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning and is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. All right. Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow. Pocoapoco. Friends, God bless you all.
The Rosary in a Year Podcast: Day 136 - "We Must Receive"
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Podcast Series: The Rosary in a Year
Sponsor: Ascension
In Day 136 of "The Rosary in a Year" podcast, hosted by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, listeners are guided through a profound meditation titled "We Must Receive." This episode delves into the spiritual significance of receiving the Kingdom of God, illustrated through James Tissot’s evocative painting, "Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum."
Fr. Mark-Mary begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the artist, James Tissot. Born in 1844 and passing away in 1894, Tissot was a French artist renowned for his ability to blend elements of Impressionism and Realism. Having spent a significant period in London, he adopted the pseudonym "Charles Meryon" during his time as a characterist. It was towards the end of his life that Tissot experienced a return to Catholicism, prompting a shift in his focus towards religious art. This personal transformation is poignantly captured in his painting, "Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum."
Notable Quote:
“At around [03:15], Fr. Mark-Mary remarks, ‘Tissot's deepest devotion is vividly reflected in his later works, where his brushstrokes convey not just scenes, but heartfelt prayers.’”
Fr. Mark-Mary provides a vivid description of the painting, emphasizing its realistic style:
Notable Quote:
“At [07:45], Fr. Mark-Mary observes, ‘The light bathing the humble stone home serves as a metaphor for divine grace entering the lives of the ordinary, illustrating how God’s Kingdom illuminates even the darkest corners of our existence.’”
Transitioning from art to theology, Fr. Mark-Mary delves into the concept of the Kingdom of God, linking it to the biblical narrative depicted in the painting. He underscores that the proclamation of the Kingdom is not merely a message to be heard but a call to action and reception.
Key Points:
Proclamation vs. Reception: While the Kingdom of God is proclaimed universally, its reception requires personal commitment and transformation. The healed leper’s return to give thanks exemplifies the ideal response to God's call.
Relationship with God: Emphasizing that receiving the Kingdom involves building a deep, obedient relationship with Jesus and Mary. This relationship is characterized by gratitude, worship, and surrender.
Faith and Obedience: True reception necessitates repentance and belief in the Gospel’s fullness. It’s not enough to hear the Good News; one must actively embrace and live by it.
Notable Quote:
“At [12:30], Fr. Mark-Mary states, ‘Receiving the Kingdom of God is akin to the leper’s journey from isolation to community—it’s a transformation that begins with faith and culminates in a life of gratitude and obedience.’”
Fr. Mark-Mary offers practical applications for implementing the day’s meditation:
Daily Habit of Prayer: Encourages listeners to cultivate a consistent prayer routine, using tools like the Rosary to deepen their spiritual lives.
Meditation with Sacred Art: Suggests engaging with religious artworks, like Tissot’s painting, to facilitate visio divina (a method of prayer that uses images to reflect on spiritual truths).
Scriptural Reflection: Integrates lectio divina (divine reading) to meditate on scripture, enhancing understanding and personal application of biblical teachings.
Notable Quote:
“At [18:50], Fr. Mark-Mary advises, ‘Incorporating sacred art into your daily prayers transforms routine into a vibrant encounter with the divine, making each moment of meditation a step closer to God’s heart.’”
A central theme of the episode is the importance of gratitude and surrender in receiving the Kingdom of God. Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that:
Gratitude: Like the healed leper, expressing thankfulness fosters a deeper relationship with God and acknowledges His blessings.
Surrender: Trusting in God's plan and submitting to His will is essential for living within His Kingdom. This surrender is a testament to one's faith and reliance on divine guidance.
Notable Quote:
“At [23:10], Fr. Mark-Mary reflects, ‘When we surrender our will to God, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing His Kingdom to take root in our lives.’”
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames concludes the episode by reinforcing the necessity of actively receiving the Kingdom of God through faith, gratitude, and obedience. He invites listeners to kneel in prayer beside the healed leper depicted in Tissot’s painting, symbolizing their own journey towards a closer relationship with Jesus and Mary.
Day 136 of "The Rosary in a Year" podcast offers a rich exploration of the themes of faith, gratitude, and the reception of the Kingdom of God, all beautifully intertwined with a masterful piece of religious art. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames provides listeners with both theological insights and practical guidance to deepen their spiritual lives and relationship with the divine.
For the complete prayer plan and more insights, visit Ascension Press.