Day 17: Turn On the Light - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Day 17: Turn On the Light

Fri Jan 17 2025

Catholics may be very familiar with the Sign of the Cross, but this short prayer has deep significance. Fr. Mark-Mary shares the Biblical origins of the Sign of the Cross, reading from Matthew’s Gospel and the book of Psalms to explain how this prayer can allow us to see life as God does and proclaim our Faith as we say the Rosary. Today’s focus is “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Day 17: Turn On the Light" – The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Hosted by Ascension, "The Rosary in a Year" podcast features Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, guiding listeners through a transformative journey of prayer and meditation centered on the Rosary. In Episode Day 17, titled "Turn On the Light," Fr. Mark-Mary delves into the profound significance of the Sign of the Cross, exploring its Biblical foundations and its role in deepening one's relationship with Jesus and Mary.

1. Introduction

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames opens the episode by introducing the day's focus: the Sign of the Cross. He emphasizes the importance of intentional faith practices in nurturing a deeper spiritual life. Listeners are encouraged to download the prayer plan for "Rosary in a Year" via ascensionpress.com/riy or by texting RIY to 33777, which provides a structured outline for daily prayer and progress tracking.

[00:00] Father Mark Mary: "The Rosary in a Year podcast... guides listeners in a step-by-step journey that will change the way you pray."

2. Scriptural Foundations

To ground the discussion, Fr. Mark-Mary references two key Scripture passages:

a. The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19

[00:00] Father Mark Mary: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

This passage underscores the Trinitarian formula, central to Christian faith and the Sacrament of Baptism.

b. The Psalmist’s Declaration – Psalm 36:9

[01:36] Father Mark Mary: "For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light do we see light."

This verse poetically illustrates God as the source of all enlightenment and understanding.

3. The Significance of the Sign of the Cross

Fr. Mark-Mary explores the Sign of the Cross as both a physical gesture and a profound statement of faith. He explains it as an intentional act that symbolizes stepping into the divine light, enabling believers to perceive spiritual truths.

[07:19] Father Mark Mary: "We are making this proclamation of faith that inspires prayer."

4. The Most Holy Trinity as Light

Using a vivid analogy, Fr. Mark-Mary describes the Most Holy Trinity as the light that illuminates all other mysteries of faith.

[02:00] Father Mark Mary: "The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is... the light that enlightens them."

He likens it to the lighting of St. Peter's Basilica, where masterpieces remain unseen in darkness until light reveals their beauty. Similarly, the Trinity enlightens believers, allowing them to understand and appreciate the profound mysteries of faith.

5. The Grace of Baptism and the Gift of Faith

Fr. Mark-Mary connects the act of baptism to the gift of faith, likening it to being granted the gift of sight. Baptism immerses believers in the Trinity, enabling them to "see" and participate in the divine life.

[04:45] Father Mark Mary: "One of the fruits of baptism is the gift of faith... it's like us receiving the gift of sight."

This metaphor highlights how faith allows believers to perceive God's presence and the truths of their faith.

6. Making the Act of Faith through Prayer

Praying in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, coupled with making the Sign of the Cross, is portrayed as an act of faith that opens believers to God's light.

[05:44] Father Mark Mary: "We're stepping into the basilica and we open our eyes and we see the light."

He references Pope Benedict’s reflection on the Sign of the Cross:

[05:42] Father Mark Mary: "The sign of the cross and the name of the living God... contain the proclamation that generates faith and inspires prayer."

This act not only affirms faith but also invites God's grace to illuminate the believer's life, revealing both their strengths and areas needing purification.

7. Quotes and Insights

Throughout the episode, Fr. Mark-Mary interweaves insightful reflections and notable quotes to deepen the listener's understanding:

Pope Benedict XVI on the Sign of the Cross:

[05:42] Father Mark Mary: "The sign of the cross and the name of the living God... contain the proclamation that generates faith and inspires prayer."
Catechism Reference on the Trinity:

[02:00] Father Mark Mary: "The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life."

These references reinforce the theological underpinnings of the practices discussed.

8. Practical Application and Personal Reflection

Fr. Mark-Mary encourages listeners to view the Sign of the Cross not merely as a ritual but as a dynamic engagement with God's light. This involves both recognizing one's divine dignity and acknowledging personal imperfections, fostering a spirit of humility and openness to conversion.

[07:48] Father Mark Mary: "We're stepping fully, courageously, out of hiding into his marvelous light."

He also addresses common questions, clarifying that the act of making the Sign of the Cross is not about closing oneself off but about seeking continual divine guidance and illumination throughout the day.

[07:19] Father Mark Mary: "We are freely engaging God... to be enriched, to be enlightened, to be encouraged, to be strengthened, but also to be converted."

9. Conclusion and Prayer

The episode concludes with a communal prayer, encapsulating the themes discussed. Fr. Mark-Mary reiterates the significance of praying in the name of the Trinity and making the Sign of the Cross as acts of faith that open believers to God's transformative light.

[10:16] Father Mark Mary: "Amen. All right, thanks, friends. Thanks for joining me and praying with me today."

Listeners are left with a reinforced understanding of how simple yet profound gestures like the Sign of the Cross can illuminate their spiritual journey, deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary, and become a beacon of grace for the world.

Key Takeaways:

The Sign of the Cross is a powerful act of faith that symbolizes opening oneself to God's light and presence.
Understanding the Most Holy Trinity as the divine light helps believers grasp the central mysteries of Christian faith.
Baptism bestows the gift of faith, akin to granting spiritual sight, enabling deeper engagement with God.
Regular prayer and intentional faith practices, such as those guided in "The Rosary in a Year," foster a transformative spiritual life.

For the complete prayer plan and to continue the journey with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, visit ascensionpress.com/riy.

Transcript

Father Mark Mary (0:00)

Foreign Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and this is the Rosary in the 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 17. To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text RIY 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 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. On behalf of myself and the whole team here at Ascension, want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped support this podcast financially. Your support is so appreciated and helps us to reach as many people as possible. And if you haven't already, please consider supporting us@ascensionpress.com forward/support in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit the focus of today's episode will be on the sign of the Cross. And to set us up for success, let's go ahead and root our conversation in two different readings from the Holy Scripture. The first coming from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. This is chapter 28, verse 19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and.

Father Francis (1:34)

Of the Holy Spirit.

Father Mark Mary (1:36)

And the second reading is going to come from the Book of Psalms. This is Psalm 36, verse 9. For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light do we see light. We're going to look at praying in the name of the Father and of.

Father Francis (1:57)

The Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Father Mark Mary (1:58)

And making the sign of the cross as an intentional act of faith, which is essentially like opening our eyes. Alright? And first we're going to look at the Most Holy Trinity as the light. And then we're going to look at the grace of Baptism and one of the fruits of baptism as the gift of faith, which is like the gift of our sight. And so first is, this is the Most Holy Trinity. We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. And this is what the catechism says. The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. That's what the Book of Psalms says. In, in your light, do we see light? So God is the light which allows us to see light. So what does it mean for God to be light? I think one image that could be helpful is imagine yourself. You're at, in Vatican City, in Rome, and you're at St. Peter's Basilica, and you're inside the Basilica and you're surrounded by masterpieces and sculptures and carvings and paintings and really, really, really incredible works of art. But it's night and all the lights are out. You're just in the dark, you know, and this. Even though you're in and surrounded by great sort of masterpieces, you could be anywhere because all you're seeing is black. All you're seeing is darkness. What all of these masterpieces are dependent on for their splendor to shine forth, to be experiential, is they need a source outside of themselves. They need light. And so as the sun rises and the lights go on, so now all of these works of art and all of these masterpieces, they begin to reflect this light and we can see them and understand them and receive and be moved by their beauty. So this is what it's saying. Like when, when we're saying that the Most Holy Trinity is the light that enlightens all other mysteries. It's like this. All other mysteries are dependent on the light that radiates forth from the Most Holy Trinity. That is the Most Holy Trinity. And one other note on the the character of the light God is. It's not like a fluorescent light. The light of God flows from the fire of God. Scripture says that God is a consuming fire. And so the light, it enlightens, it shines, it reveals, it gives meaning and understanding, but also it warms, it fills with love. It warms and it purifies. Let's go to part two. Part two is this. We are baptized in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. We are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and.