Day 176: Jesus is in the Boat - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames) Episode: Day 176: Jesus is in the Boat Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction

In Day 176 of Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, delves into the profound theme of trusting Jesus amidst life's storms. This episode intricately weaves together art, scripture, and spiritual reflection to guide listeners toward a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.

Artistic Analysis: Rembrandt’s "Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee"

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames begins the episode by exploring Rembrandt van Rijn's renowned painting, "Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee". Created in 1633, this Baroque masterpiece exemplifies Rembrandt's signature tenebrism and dramatic chiaroscuro, which heighten the emotional intensity of the scene.

[02:02] Mary: "A great wave swells amidst the black contemptuous sea."

Fr. Mark-Mary provides a vivid description of the painting:

[02:13] Mary: "Within the wooden boat, several men put their whole weight into pulling against the sails."

The composition features a diagonal mass that divides the canvas into unstable and stable triangles, symbolizing the turbulence of the storm against the calm presence of Jesus.

An interesting historical note is shared about the painting's disappearance:

[02:02] Mary: "It is missing. Stolen from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston."

Gospel Connection: Mark 4:35-41

The episode seamlessly transitions from art to scripture, focusing on the Gospel passage Mark 4:35-41, which recounts Jesus calming the storm. Fr. Mark-Mary highlights the realism of the disciples' fear and the authority of Jesus.

[03:00] Fr. Mark-Mary: "Some are immersed in the sailing, others are paralyzed in their fear and despair at the circumstances, and three are praying and pleading, looking to Jesus."

He emphasizes the simplicity yet profundity of Jesus' message:

[03:38] Mary: "Jesus is God, Jesus is in the boat."

Reflections on Faith and Trust

Delving deeper, Fr. Mark-Mary explores the themes of trust, hope, and peace that Jesus imparts amidst chaos.

[04:58] Fr. Mark-Mary: "Is because they didn't submit the reality of the storm to the reality of Jesus. Which right is more real? Which is more powerful, Creation or the Creator?"

He challenges listeners to consider their own responses to life's storms:

[07:24] Mary: "His ways and designs are perfect. His providence is perfect."

Fr. Mark-Mary addresses the common human struggle with trust:

[08:09] Mary: "Attention. It might feel like he's not doing enough, soon enough."

He reassures that Jesus understands our struggles and invites us to trust in His perfect plan:

[09:03] Fr. Mark-Mary: "Not receive it as a cliché and just move on. And of course, like, as I've said."

Symbolism of the Church as a Boat

The podcast draws a powerful parallel between the church and the boat navigating through life's tumultuous seas.

[06:19] Mary: "There's a long tradition of symbolizing the church as a boat traversing through tumultuous seas with crashing waves."

This metaphor underscores the importance of collective faith and reliance on Jesus to guide the church and its followers through challenges.

Conclusion and Prayer

Fr. Mark-Mary concludes the episode with a heartfelt prayer, reinforcing the themes of trust and reliance on God's providence. The prayer sequence includes the Our Father, multiple Hail Marys, and the Glory Be, fostering a meditative atmosphere for listeners.

[10:01] Mary: "My brothers and sisters, let's not water this down, this matter of obedience from God that says trust me."

[13:24] Fr. Mark-Mary: "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

The episode wraps up with expressions of gratitude and encouragement to continue the journey of faith.

[13:43] Mary: "I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow."

Key Takeaways

Trust in Jesus: Amidst life's storms, trusting in Jesus provides peace and assurance of His presence and providence.
Art as Reflection: Rembrandt's painting serves as a visual metaphor for the spiritual lessons found in scripture.
Symbolism of the Church: Viewing the church as a boat highlights the collective journey of faith and the need for steadfast leadership.
Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in the Rosary fosters a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary, serving as a source of grace and strength.

Quotes to Reflect On

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "Which right is more real? Which is more powerful, Creation or the Creator?" [05:04]
Mary: "Jesus is God, Jesus is in the boat." [03:38]
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "Trust me, it's simple, it's clear." [09:03]

Listeners are encouraged to download the complete prayer plan and engage with additional resources available at Ascension Press to further enrich their spiritual journey through the Rosary.

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Transcript157 lines

[00:00]
Unknown
Foreign.
[00:05]
Mark
Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars of.
[00:07]
Mary
The Renewal and this is the Rosary.
[00:08]
Mark
In a 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 the Year is brought to you by Ascension.
[00:20]
Mary
This is day 176.
[00:22]
Mark
To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com forward/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.
[00:33]
Franciscan Friar 1
A great way to track your progress.
[00:34]
Mark
The best place to listen to podcasts 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, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's 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 support.
[01:00]
Franciscan Friar 2
Today we will be meditating upon and praying with the third.
[01:03]
Mary
Luminous mystery, the proclamation of the Kingdom and the call to conversion, with help.
[01:09]
Franciscan Friar 2
From a painting by Rembrandt entitled Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. All right, a little introduction. We've already offered the introduction to Rembrandt. This particular painting of his was done in the year 1633 and its style is baroque with Rembrandt's signature tenebrism, and he works in a dramatic chiaroscuro with.
[01:40]
Mary
Like the stark contrast of light and.
[01:42]
Franciscan Friar 2
Shadow to heighten the emotional intensity. And there's a dynamic composition right, the diagonal mass which divides the canvas into unstable and stable triangles, mirroring the narrative.
[01:56]
Mary
Tension with the storm to the left, the calm to the right.
[02:02]
Franciscan Friar 2
And a little interesting fact about the.
[02:03]
Mary
Painting is it is missing. Stolen from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
[02:10]
Franciscan Friar 2
And now a description of our painting.
[02:13]
Mary
A great wave swells amidst the black contemptuous sea.
[02:19]
Franciscan Friar 2
A boat rocks sideways, its mast tipping towards the right, cutting the dynamic sky with a diagonal axis.
[02:27]
Mary
Within the wooden boat, several men put their whole weight into pulling against the sails.
[02:33]
Franciscan Friar 2
The left side of the boat is struck with white caps that glow in.
[02:37]
Mary
The light, contrasting the remainder of the scene that is shadowed in tones of darkness. In the front of the boat, several men look to Jesus. One grasps his shoulder, rising slightly from his recline.
[02:55]
Franciscan Friar 2
Jesus looks into the men's eyes.
[02:58]
Franciscan Friar 3
The expression of the voyagers vary.
[03:00]
Franciscan Friar 2
Some are immersed in the sailing, others are paralyzed in their fear and despair at the circumstances. And three, praying and pleading look to Jesus to begin. I think it's just a good reminder that that which is simple is not always easy. The message from today's gospel, in many ways it's similar to our theme from yesterday. It's very simple and straightforward, like Jesus.
[03:39]
Mary
Is God, Jesus is in the boat.
[03:44]
Franciscan Friar 4
Trust, hope, have peace.
[03:50]
Franciscan Friar 2
Jesus says to us, like, I'm here, trust me.
[03:53]
Mary
It's simple, it's straightforward. It's something we've heard again and again.
[03:58]
Franciscan Friar 2
But still we struggle. And I think the gospel of the storm at sea and our painting today by Rembrandt, they both do a great job of depicting the reality of the threat without downplaying it. Mark, chapter four says plainly there was a great storm of wind and the waves beat the boat so that it was already filling the disciples, many of whom were like boat people, right? As fishermen, they knew what they were seeing. Like they were not wrong in recognizing the danger. They weren't being dramatic. This was in fact a life threatening storm, like potentially catastrophic. And I think Rembrandt does a great job of portraying like a little boat and a huge storm and this little boat and those in it are holding.
[04:51]
Mary
On for dear life.
[04:52]
Franciscan Friar 2
Like the threat was real, the water already covering their feet was real. But where they messed up and why.
[05:05]
Mary
They received like the correction from Jesus, why are you afraid? Have you no faith?
[05:10]
Franciscan Friar 2
Is because they didn't submit the reality of the storm to the reality of Jesus. Which right is more real? Which is more powerful, Creation or the Creator? And I do. I wonder if Jesus was more focused on their lack of believing that he has the authority to say peace be.
[05:41]
Mary
Still to the storm, and it would.
[05:43]
Franciscan Friar 2
In fact be still. Or the lack of understanding in their hearts when they asked him, teacher, do.
[05:53]
Mary
You not care if we perish?
[05:58]
Franciscan Friar 2
They doubted both his power, but also.
[06:01]
Mary
They doubted his concern, his like, love for them.
[06:06]
Franciscan Friar 2
And again, I don't know. The problem is that they woke him up for help, but rather that they woke him up with doubt. Like with that question, do you not care?
[06:19]
Mary
And there's a long tradition, right, of symbolizing the church as a boat.
[06:23]
Franciscan Friar 2
It's a boat which is traversing through tumultuous seas with crashing waves, high highs.
[06:28]
Mary
And low lows as the waves crest and crash.
[06:31]
Franciscan Friar 2
And it can be rough, right? It can cause seasickness, as we see with the one poor disciple in Rembrandt's painting. And that's all true. That's how it's going to be.
[06:43]
Mary
But Jesus is in the boat. Jesus is here.
[06:49]
Franciscan Friar 2
And he promises we won't sink.
[06:53]
Mary
The gates of hell will not be victorious. The ship is not going to sink.
[06:58]
Franciscan Friar 2
And at any moment he can say, peace be still and it'll happen. But he's not doing that. So we have to trust him. Like his plan, his timing.
[07:18]
Mary
And let's.
[07:18]
Franciscan Friar 2
Keep this before us, like Jesus is God.
[07:25]
Mary
The Creator.
[07:27]
Franciscan Friar 2
God is perfect.
[07:31]
Mary
His ways and designs are perfect. His providence is perfect.
[07:37]
Franciscan Friar 2
His shepherding of the world and the church, it's perfect. Like his game plan is perfect. His captaining of the ship, it's not just really, really good, it's perfect.
[07:57]
Mary
He knows what he's doing.
[07:59]
Franciscan Friar 2
And of course I get it. And Jesus gets it, which is why.
[08:03]
Mary
He gave us this gospel.
[08:05]
Franciscan Friar 2
It often feels like he's asleep. It might feel like he's not paying.
[08:10]
Mary
Attention.
[08:12]
Franciscan Friar 2
Like he's not doing enough, soon enough. And again, I think it's so important that Jesus, in a way, like recognizing what we're going to experience, he gives us this gospel with this in mind, with him sleeping in the boat here. And it can certainly can raise our.
[08:27]
Mary
Minds to doubts of his goodness. And these are real doubts in his divinity. But Jesus is Lord and he's good. And he says, trust me, and we can bring it all to him, but we bring it to him not doubting, like, do you care?
[08:46]
Franciscan Friar 2
Can you do anything about it?
[08:48]
Mary
We bring it to him saying, like, I know you care and I know.
[08:53]
Franciscan Friar 2
You can do something about it.
[08:57]
Mary
My brothers and sisters, let's not water this down, this matter of obedience from God that says trust me and let's.
[09:04]
Franciscan Friar 2
Not receive it as a cliche and just move on. And of course, like, as I've said.
[09:09]
Mary
Before, like, this isn't a negation of the storms in the world. The church, our own personal lives, it's not trying to reduce those. But Jesus is Lord and he says, trust me, it's simple, it's clear.
[09:29]
Franciscan Friar 2
Admittedly, it's not always easy, but it.
[09:32]
Mary
Is necessary, it is true, and it.
[09:35]
Franciscan Friar 2
Is the most like real response to reality.
[09:42]
Mary
My brothers and sisters, it is right and just for those who belong to the kingdom of heaven and our sons and daughters of the King, bringing to the Lord the storms of our life and imploring him for the gift of.
[10:02]
Franciscan Friar 2
Trust with Mary, we now pray in the name of the Father and of.
[10:06]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[10:08]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[10:11]
Mary
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
[10:22]
Franciscan Friar 4
Give us this day our daily bread.
[10:25]
Mary
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[10:35]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[10:38]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:40]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[10:42]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women and blessed is the.
[10:44]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:48]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:50]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:54]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[10:56]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:57]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[11:00]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[11:02]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:05]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:07]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:11]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[11:13]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:14]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[11:17]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women and blessed is the.
[11:19]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:22]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:24]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:28]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[11:29]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:31]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[11:34]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[11:36]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:39]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:41]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:44]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[11:46]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:48]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[11:51]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[11:53]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:55]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:58]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[12:01]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[12:03]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[12:04]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[12:07]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[12:09]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[12:12]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[12:14]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[12:17]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[12:18]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[12:20]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[12:23]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[12:25]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[12:27]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[12:30]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[12:33]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[12:35]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[12:37]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[12:40]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[12:42]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[12:44]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[12:47]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[12:50]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[12:52]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[12:53]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[12:56]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[12:58]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[13:01]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[13:03]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[13:06]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[13:08]
Franciscan Friar 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[13:10]
Franciscan Friar 4
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[13:13]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[13:15]
Franciscan Friar 7
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[13:17]
Franciscan Friar 1
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[13:19]
Franciscan Friar 3
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[13:22]
Franciscan Friar 5
Amen.
[13:25]
Franciscan Friar 6
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, as it was in the.
[13:30]
Franciscan Friar 1
Beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen in the name of the Father.
[13:37]
Franciscan Friar 2
And of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
[13:41]
Franciscan Friar 3
All right, thanks, everybody.
[13:42]
Franciscan Friar 6
Thanks for joining me and praying with me today.
[13:43]
Mary
I look forward to continuing this journey.
[13:45]
Franciscan Friar 2
With you again tomorrow.
[13:47]
Franciscan Friar 1
Poco, poco.
[13:47]
Mary
Friends, God bless you.