Day 184: Beyond the Tomb

Summary

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

Episode: Day 184 — "Beyond the Tomb"

Date: July 3, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Theme: Meditation on the Resurrection and Mary’s Silent Joy

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Overview

On Day 184, "Beyond the Tomb," Fr. Mark-Mary Ames leads listeners in prayerful meditation on the first Glorious Mystery—the Resurrection of Jesus. This episode uniquely focuses on sacred art (Anibale Carracci’s The Holy Women at Christ’s Tomb) and explores the tradition regarding Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and her poignant, silent place in the Resurrection narrative. Drawing on Scripture and a meditation from Pope St. John Paul II, this episode invites listeners to imagine the tender encounter between the Risen Christ and his mother, Mary.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Meditation Guided by Sacred Art (00:50–03:30)

• Featured Artwork:
  Annibale Carracci’s The Holy Women at Christ’s Tomb (ca. 1600) is chosen for visio divina meditation.
• Description of the Painting:
  • Three women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome) stand at Christ’s empty tomb at dawn.
  • The vibrant colors of their cloaks contrast with the subdued morning background.
  • A youthful, radiant angel gestures to the open tomb, announcing the Resurrection.
  • The women lean forward, caught between surprise and awe at the message: “The tomb is empty. He is risen.” ([02:23–03:30])

2. Scriptural Foundation: Mark 16:1 and Beyond (03:30–04:40)

• Biblical Context:
  The Gospel of Mark’s account is read, noting that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome come to anoint Jesus, finding the stone rolled away and an angel proclaiming His Resurrection.
• Observation:
  Attention is drawn to who is present—and more significantly, who is absent—at the tomb.

3. The Silent Presence of Mary, Mother of Jesus (04:40–06:31)

• Pope John Paul II’s Reflection:
  Fr. Mark-Mary reads from John Paul II’s general audience (May 21, 1997), which proposes that though not mentioned, Mary was probably the first to receive the Risen Christ:

  “The Gospels mention various appearances of the risen Christ, but not a meeting between Jesus and his mother. This silence must not lead to the conclusion that after the resurrection Christ did not appear to Mary. Rather, it invites us to seek the reasons why the evangelists made such a choice.” (Narrator quoting JPII, 05:01)

  • John Paul II goes further:

  “Indeed, it is legitimate to think that the mother was probably the first person to whom the risen Jesus appeared. ... Could not Mary’s absence from the group of women who went to the tomb at dawn indicate that she had already met Jesus?” (Narrator quoting JPII, 05:32)

• Personal Reflection:
  Fr. Mark-Mary comments on the tenderness of this idea, noting the intimacy between Jesus and His mother.

4. Imaginative Contemplation: Mary’s Encounter with the Risen Jesus (06:31–09:19)

• Invitation to Listeners:

  • Listeners are encouraged to meditate on Mary’s silent vigil, heartbroken yet hopeful, possibly bearing stains from Jesus’ body.
  • In a deeply human scene, listeners are called to imagine Jesus appearing first to Mary, enveloping her in love, letting her collapse in tears, and gently wiping them away.
  • The moment is painted as one of “unspeakable love,” best left to the pens of poets:

  “See her collapse to the floor, no longer needing to be strong. And he comes down to her and he envelops her with his arms... and he holds her as the tears stream.” (Narrator, 07:52–08:10)

  “As he's looking at his mother with a love that I won't even try to describe, as it's better left for the pens of poets.” (Narrator, 08:50–09:00)

  • The theme closes with:

    “He who promised to wipe away every tear begins with the tears of his mother.” (Narrator, 09:15)

5. Praying the Decade: The First Glorious Mystery (09:19–13:30)

• Prayer Sequence:

  • Traditional start: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (09:19–09:35)
  • Our Father and ten Hail Marys prayed aloud, each joined by the group in a meditative, peaceful rhythm.
  • Glory Be to the Father concludes the decade.

  The prayer maintains a simple, reverent, and communal tone throughout.

6. Closing Encouragement and Farewell (13:38–13:49)

• Daily Habit of Prayer:
  Fr. Mark-Mary thanks listeners, encourages daily persistence ("poco a poco"—little by little), and offers a blessing.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sacred Art’s Power:

  "Karachi's style merges high Renaissance clarity with Baroque dynamism... emphasizing naturalism, vibrant color, and expressive gestures." (02:08, Narrator)

• On Mary’s Silent Encounter:

  "Could not Mary’s absence from the group of women who went to the tomb at dawn…indicate that she had already met Jesus?" (05:32, JPII via Narrator)

• On Maternal Grief and Joy:

  “See her collapse to the floor, no longer needing to be strong. And he comes down to her and he envelops her with his arms...” (08:00, Narrator)

  “He who promised to wipe away every tear begins with the tears of his mother.” (09:15, Narrator)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Introduction & Purpose — 00:00–00:50
• Artwork Background — 00:50–02:08
• Painting Description — 02:18–03:30
• Scripture Reading & Analysis — 03:30–06:31
• Meditative Invitation (Mary and the Risen Jesus) — 06:31–09:19
• Rosary Prayers (1st Glorious Mystery) — 09:19–13:30
• Closing Blessing & Encouragement — 13:38–13:49

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Summary Takeaway

This episode stands out as a contemplative invitation to go "beyond the tomb" by entering imaginatively and personally into the Resurrection’s impact—especially Mary’s. Through art, scripture, and the gentle prompting of Pope St. John Paul II, Fr. Mark-Mary encourages love for Mary and trust in the hidden, tender workings of God. It’s an episode rich with spiritual insight and poetic meditation, keeping listeners anchored in both tradition and heart.

Perfect for those seeking:

• A deeper Marian perspective on the Resurrection
• Meditative prayer with sacred art
• Inspiration for daily devotion
• Comfort in the tender love of Jesus and Mary

Transcript

[Mark Mary]

Foreign.

[Franciscan Friar]

Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and this is the Rosary 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 a Year is brought to you by Ascension.

[Narrator/Host]

This is day 184.

[Franciscan Friar]

To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosaryinayear or text R I Y 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 to this 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. No matter what app you're listening in, remember to tap, follow or subscribe for your daily notifications.

[Narrator/Host]

Today we will be meditating upon and praying with the first glorious mystery, the Resurrection, with help from a painting entitled the Holy Women at Christ's Tomb by the artist Annibale Karachi. And now a brief introduction to our artist and artwork. Anibale Karachi was born in the year 1560. He died in the year 1609 and he was a pivotal Italian Baroque painter and co founder of the Bolognese School. He was born in Bologna, where he trained alongside his brother and his cousin, and his art at that time was deeply grounded in Renaissance principles and direct observation of nature. His move to Rome in 1595 marked a shift towards monumental classicism. Karachi would die at a young age of 48, but his work would influence generations. His painting that we're looking at today, the Holy Women at Christ's Tomb, was done around the year 1600. We see here. Karachi style merges high Renaissance clarity with Baroque dynamism. Rejecting Mannerist artifice, he emphasized naturalism, vibrant

[Franciscan Friar]

color and expressive gestures.

[Narrator/Host]

The Holy Women at Christ's Tomb showcases his signature traits, which include chiaroscuro, classical composition, emotive realism.

[Art Describer]

Now a description of our painting.

[Narrator/Host]

In the pale light of dawn, three

[Art Describer]

women stand in a tree covered garden at the entrance of Christ's tomb, their vibrant cloaks glowing against the muted tones of the early morning. One of these women, draped in red, with flowing blonde hair, cradles a large jar of ointment brought to anoint Christ's body. Her gaze, like the others, is fixed on an angel before them, a radiant youthful figure with golden locks, feathered wings and a flowing white toga. The angel sits atop the edge of the tomb and gestures towards the large stone block at the Front edge of the scene, he each of the women leans forward on the balls of their feet, their postures shifting with surprise and awe. Their expressions are filled with a quiet reverence as the angel's message begins to dawn on them. The tomb is empty. He is risen.

[Narrator/Host]

Today's painting of the women and angel at the tomb by Annabale, Karachi, seems to be an intentional depiction of Mark 16:1 and the following verses. There we read, and when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Now we're going to jump two verses in the gospel there says. And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe. And they were amazed. There is a lot that could be said about this gospel and this painting. But I'm going to take my prompting for today's meditation from Pope John Paul II and his general audience that was given on May 21, 1997. We're going to make a reflection not about who but is at the tomb, but rather who is not at the tomb and who is conspicuously never mentioned at any of the post resurrection appearances, namely Mary, the mother of Jesus. And I'll really encourage you to read the audience if you're interested in the topic. But here's a starter. John Paul ii, he writes the gospels mention various appearances of the risen Christian, but not a meeting between Jesus and his mother. This silence must not lead to the conclusion that after the resurrection Christ did not appear to Mary. Rather, it invites us to seek the reasons why the evangelists made such a choice. But then his audience changes directions and he writes, indeed, it is legitimate to think that the mother was probably the first person to whom the risen Jesus appeared. Could not Mary's absence from the group of women who went to the tomb at dawn see Mark, chapter 16, verse 1, Matthew 28:1, indicate that she had already met Jesus? And I love that he doesn't just say that Mary was possibly the first person to whom the risen Jesus appeared, but he says, probably John Paul ii, he's not saying this is a fact that this happened. But as a man who knew the heart of Jesus so intimately, and as a man who, who was personally a son who loved his earthly mother so

[Prayer Leader]

much,

[Narrator/Host]

and as a man who loved Mary with the deepest of loves, it's almost like John Paul II is saying, like he had to go see her first. How could he not and so that's where we're going to go today. I'm going to invite you to imagine and to really spend some time with this and ponder that moment. There's Mary, heartbroken but hopeful. Mary who just held his lifeless body. Mary, who may still have the stains of her son's blood on her clothes and skin. And as she's keeping vigil, he comes to her. He is risen. Hear the breath, like, immediately escape her lungs and see her collapse to the floor, no longer needing to be strong. And he comes down to her

[Prayer Participant]

and

[Narrator/Host]

he envelops her with his arms. And he holds her as the tears stream. And for a while, he just holds her. Then one of them breaks the silence,

[Mark Mary]

perhaps with a playful word,

[Narrator/Host]

and the joy begins and the laughter. And slowly he helps her up

[Prayer Leader]

and

[Narrator/Host]

gently wipes her tears. As he's looking at his mother

[Mark Mary]

with

[Narrator/Host]

a love that I won't even try to describe,

[Mark Mary]

as it's better left for

[Narrator/Host]

the pens of poets. He is risen. He who promised to wipe away every

[Congregation/Group]

tear

[Narrator/Host]

begins with the tears of his mother. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Narrator/Host]

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.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the Blessed art

[Narrator/Host]

thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Narrator/Host]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the Blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the Blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the Blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the Blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord

[Mark Mary]

is with the blessed art thou among

[Congregation/Group]

women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

[Hail Mary Leader]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Hail Mary Responder]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Congregation/Group]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Leader]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Participant]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen. Glory be to the Father and to

[Hail Mary Leader]

the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is

[Narrator/Host]

now and ever shall be, world without end.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Narrator/Host]

In the name of the Father and of the Son and course of. Of the Holy Spirit.

[Congregation/Group]

Amen.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, thank you for joining me and praying with me again today.

[Prayer Participant]

I look forward to continuing our journey tomorrow.

[Narrator/Host]

Poco poco.

[Prayer Participant]

Friends.

[Narrator/Host]

God bless y'.

[Hail Mary Responder]

All.