Day 185: Proclaiming Christ

Summary

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

Episode Summary: Day 185 – "Proclaiming Christ" (July 4, 2026)

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Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal invite listeners to meditate on the Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension. Using sacred art as a springboard—specifically, Duccio's Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee—the episode unpacks Jesus' Great Commission and the universal call to proclaim Christ in both word and deed.

Listeners are guided through visio divina (meditative viewing) of the painting, scriptural reflection, practical exhortation for everyday mission, and communal Rosary prayer. The theme focuses on moving beyond a private faith to an outward, missional life rooted in Jesus' continual presence.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Featured Artwork (01:00–03:21)

• Artist & Context:
  • Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255–1318/19), pioneer of the Sienese school, bridged Byzantine formality and Gothic expressiveness.
  • Painting: Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee (c. 1308–1311).
  • Artistic qualities: “The gold backgrounds…Gothic refinement…the delicate drapery, rhythmic lines, and emotional nuance in faces…” (Friar Francis, 01:13).
• Painting Description:
  • Jesus stands on an elevated mountain, addressing the apostles.
  • Distinct faces reflect varying ages and emotions.
  • Christ’s pose is both teaching and blessing—his hands outstretched (“One palm facing upward, the other downward,” 02:19).

2. Scriptural Reflection: The Great Commission (03:27–04:46)

• Setting:
  • Jesus meets his disciples post-resurrection, pre-ascension, on a mountain in Galilee.
• Quoting Scripture:
  • Matthew 28:18–20 is read aloud, highlighting Jesus' commission and enduring presence:

    “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…And behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Multiple speakers, 04:01–04:23)

• Key Insight:
  • “The Ascension will not be a lack of him being present to us…but a new way of being present.” (Mission Speaker, 04:26–04:38)

3. Mission: Christianity Is Outward-Facing (04:46–07:11)

• Distinguishing Mission:
  • Following Jesus “cannot be reduced to saying our prayers, to going to Mass on Sunday, perhaps reading books or listening to podcasts for our own personal edification, donating to charity here and there. Like, all of this is important…but…praying…going to Mass…tithing…they’re all necessary. But we can’t reduce Christianity to something that is me centric…” (Mission Speaker, 05:30–05:59)
  • There is always a “both/and”:
    • Relationship and Mission—Following Jesus requires both deepening our own faith and reaching outward.
    • Personal call: “We have a duty to nourish and foster our own relationship with Jesus, but we also have a duty to bring Jesus to the world and the world to Jesus…” (06:37)
• Universal Invitation:
  • “No one is excluded from this call…no one is exempt.” (Mission Speaker, 07:02–07:11)

4. Practical Challenges and Exhortation (07:11–08:55)

• Two Questions for Listeners:
  1. “When was the last time that you mentioned Jesus to someone or took the opportunity to share something about your faith with another person, especially someone who may not be a practicing Christian?” (07:17)
  2. Trust God to open doors for sharing:
  • “Jesus, who do you want to send me to? Who do you want me to love with your love and to speak to with your truth?” (Friar Mark Mary, 08:09–08:15)
• Surrender and Courage:
  • The mission is never alone: “If you open the door to a conversation about you, I’ll enter it. But I’m going to need you to open the door, and I’m going to need your grace to give me the courage to actually enter it.” (Friar Francis, 08:24–08:26)
  • The ongoing presence of Jesus: “Part of the beauty of the Ascension is that when he sends us, he actually goes with us so we can find our confidence in Jesus being with us.” (Friar Mark Mary, 08:55–08:57)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the new presence of Christ:

  “The Ascension will not be a lack of him being present to us… but a new way of being present to us…”
  — Mission Speaker (04:26–04:38)

• On faith as not solely personal:

  “We can’t reduce Christianity to something that is me centric, where it’s just about me and my relationship with Jesus… He sent them out on a mission. It’s both/and—relationship and mission.”
  — Mission Speaker (05:59–06:19)

• Universal call to mission:

  “No one is excluded from this call…no one is exempt.”
  — Mission Speaker (07:02–07:11)

• On courage and God’s accompaniment:

  “If you open the door to a conversation about you, I’ll enter it…I’m going to need your grace to give me the courage to actually enter it.”
  — Friar Francis (08:24–08:26)

• Our confidence:

  “When he sends us, he actually goes with us so we can find our confidence in Jesus being with us.”
  — Friar Mark Mary (08:55–08:57)

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Important Timestamps

• [01:13] – Brief introduction to artist Duccio and his painting
• [02:19] – Description of Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee
• [04:01–04:23] – Direct reading of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20)
• [05:30–06:19] – Emphasis on both personal relationship and mission in Christian life
• [07:17] – Practical challenge: When did you last speak about Jesus?
• [08:09–08:26] – Praying for courage and openness for mission

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Closing: Praying the Rosary (09:21–13:09)

• The episode concludes with collective prayer, leading listeners through the Our Father and the “Hail Mary” ten times, faithfully meditating on the mystery in the spirit of Mary’s intercession.
• The invitation to pray is accompanied by the intention: “asking for courage, asking for the eyes to see…the open doors, the words to speak.” (Friar Francis, 09:22–09:34)
• The sense is a communal journey of prayer and action—“Poco a poco” (“little by little”).

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Final Thoughts

This episode seamlessly stitches together sacred art, scriptural reflection, and practical steps, urging every believer to accept their share in Christ’s mission. With relatable language and gentle exhortation, listeners are not only encouraged to deepen their personal devotion but are reminded that the Rosary isn’t just for personal edification—it is fuel for apostolic action in the world.

Remember:

“We have a duty to bring Jesus to the world and the world to Jesus…”
— Friar Francis (06:44)

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Transcript

[Friar Mark Mary]

Foreign.

[Narrator/Host]

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

[Friar Mark Mary]

a source of grace for the whole world.

[Narrator/Host]

The Rosary in a Year is brought to you by Ascension.

[Friar Francis]

This is day 185.

[Narrator/Host]

To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com forward/rosary Rosary in a Year or text R I Y to 33777.

[Friar Francis]

You'll get an outline of how we're

[Narrator/Host]

going to pray each month and it's a great way to track your progress. The best place to listen to podcast is 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. 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 [e-mail] support

[Friar Francis]

today we will be meditating upon and praying with the second glorious mystery, the Ascension, with help from painting entitled Appearance on the Mountain in

[Friar Mark Mary]

Galilee by the artist Duccio.

[Friar Francis]

Okay, now a brief introduction to our artist and our artwork. Duccio di Bu? Insa was born in the year 1255, and he died around the year 1318 or 1319. He was the founder of the Sienna School and a pivotal figure transitioning Italian art from Byzantine formalism to Gothic expressiveness. Active primarily in Siena, he blended Byzantine iconography with Gothic elegance and nascent naturalism. So our painting today, again entitled Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee, was done by Duccio between the years 1308 and about 1311, and some of the styles that we'll see of Duccio here are the Byzantine tradition. We see this, for example, with the gold backgrounds, Gothic refinement, the delicate drapery, rhythmic lines, and emotional nuance in faces and early spatial depth. Though less naturalistic than Giotto, Duccio experiments with rudimentary perspectives, as seen in, for example, the receding Mountain

[Prayer Leader]

and now a

[Art Describer]

description of our painting. Against a gleaming background of gold leaf, the risen Jesus gazes intently at his group of disciples. His hands are extended towards them, one palm facing upward, the other downward, in a gesture of both teaching and blessing. He stands upon a stylized mountain, his ledge slightly elevated above the gathered apostles. Christ is clothed in a deep crimson tunic beneath a flowing mantle of rich blue. Both garments are edged with delicate gold lines that catch the light. The 11 apostles cluster before him on the craggy earth toned mountain. Each disciple has a carefully rendered and distinct face. They are depicted in a range of ages, from youthful to elderly, and each in their own color of clothing. Together they express solemn reverence and wonder

[Friar Mark Mary]

as they carefully absorb the words of Christ.

[Mission Speaker]

All right, friends, you and I, we have a mission. We have a mission. We have a job to do and and an obligation to do it.

[Friar Francis]

In our painting today, we have Jesus

[Mission Speaker]

after his resurrection, but before his ascension, meeting with the apostles on the mountain in Galilee where he gives them what

[Friar Francis]

is popularly known as the Great Commission. And this is Matthew chapter 28, starting at verse 18. And this is what the Gospel says. And Jesus came and said to them,

[Mission Speaker]

all authority in heaven and on earth

[Friar Francis]

has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of

[Prayer Leader]

the Father and of the Son and

[Friar Francis]

of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

[Mission Speaker]

And behold, I am with you always

[Friar Mark Mary]

to the close of the age, like

[Mission Speaker]

Jesus is about to ascend to the Father. And first there's the reminder that the

[Friar Francis]

ascension will not be a lack of him being present to us or being

[Friar Mark Mary]

at work with us or through us,

[Mission Speaker]

but a new way of being present

[Friar Francis]

to us, as we've previously discussed and is affirmed by the last words of St. Matthew's Gospel, behold, I am with you always to the close of the age.

[Mission Speaker]

Also his mission of proclaiming the kingdom

[Friar Francis]

of God and evangelizing the world.

[Mission Speaker]

It's not brought to a conclusion, but

[Friar Francis]

it takes on a new form. Here we see the risen Lord, like

[Mission Speaker]

the divine King, gives to his apostles

[Friar Francis]

a share in his own authority and the mandate to proclaim Jesus throughout the world. And trusting this mission that Jesus lived during his earthly life to the church,

[Mission Speaker]

he will continue to be at work establishing his kingdom and calling men and women to repentance. But it will be through the church, founded upon the apostles, but also including

[Friar Francis]

you and me,

[Mission Speaker]

following Jesus

[Friar Francis]

and being

[Mission Speaker]

a good Christian, it cannot be reduced

[Friar Francis]

to saying our prayers, to going to mass on Sunday, perhaps reading books or listening to podcasts for our own personal edification, donating to charity here and there,

[Mission Speaker]

like all of this is important, that's true, but for something to be essential

[Friar Francis]

doesn't mean that it is exhaustive, right? Praying, going to Mass, growing in knowledge

[Mission Speaker]

of the faith, tithing like, yeah, they're all necessary. But we can't reduce Christianity to something that is me centric, where it's just about me and my relationship with Jesus. Jesus called the disciples and he called them to be with him, and he

[Friar Francis]

formed them and he taught them, and

[Mission Speaker]

he empowered them, but then he sends them out on a mission. It's like both, and both our relationship, but also mission. And of course, like, he first fished them, but he also sent them out to be fishers of men. We have a duty to nourish and

[Friar Francis]

foster our own relationship with Jesus, but

[Mission Speaker]

we also have a duty to bring

[Friar Francis]

Jesus to the world and the world to Jesus, to tell people about Jesus and to introduce people to Jesus through

[Prayer Leader]

our words, our witness, our hope, our.

[Mission Speaker]

Our service and our prayers. And the form that this takes for

[Friar Francis]

each of us will be unique.

[Mission Speaker]

But no one is excluded from this call. For some, it may be just through

[Friar Francis]

the offerings of sufferings and prayers, but

[Mission Speaker]

still, like, no one is exempt. And for today, just two practicals I

[Friar Francis]

wanted just to think about. Like, when was the last time that you mentioned Jesus to someone or took the opportunity to share something about your faith with another person, especially someone who may not be a practicing Christian? Jesus wants to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, but the Gospel, the good news, it will remain silent if we do not speak it. And secondly, like, let's trust God with this. Like, he is with us and we don't go forward alone. So this is what I'm gonna ask you to do. Like, I'm gonna encourage you in a moment of prayer and to really say this to Jesus. Jesus, who do you want to send me to? Who do you want me to love

[Friar Mark Mary]

with your love and to speak to with your truth

[Friar Francis]

and wait on the Lord and see if any particular person comes to mind. Or you can also prayerfully, like, say

[Friar Mark Mary]

this, hey, Jesus, like, if you open

[Friar Francis]

the door, if you open the door to a conversation about you, I'll enter it. But I'm going to need you to open the door, and I'm going to need your grace to give me the courage to actually enter it. Like, I want to be obedient to my mission, Jesus, but I can't do it without you. We bring this openness, the awareness of our mission. But part of the beauty of the Ascension is that when he sends us,

[Friar Mark Mary]

he actually goes with us so we

[Friar Francis]

can find our confidence in Jesus being with us. But also just this openness to who he's bringing to our lives and any opportunities, any open doors in which we can help to share his good news, proclaim his kingdom, so that we can be obedient to this great commission and making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Friar Francis]

So, asking for courage, asking for the eyes to see. The open doors, the words to speak. Let us with Mary now pray in the name of the Father and of the Son of and of the Holy Spirit.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Friar Francis]

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

[Prayer Reader 1]

on earth as it is in heaven.

[Friar Mark Mary]

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

[Friar Francis]

And lead us not into temptation, but

[Friar Mark Mary]

deliver us from evil.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Amen.

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Prayer Reader 4]

Amen.

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Amen.

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Amen.

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar Mark Mary]

The Lord is with the blessed art

[Prayer Reader 1]

thou among women, and blessed is the

[Prayer Reader 4]

fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Prayer Reader 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with the.

[Prayer Reader 1]

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed

[Prayer Reader 4]

is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Prayer Reader 2]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for

[Prayer Leader]

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

[Friar Francis]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and and ever shall be, world without end.

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Friar Francis]

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

[Prayer Leader]

Amen.

[Prayer Reader 2]

All right.

[Friar Francis]

Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today.

[Prayer Reader 3]

I look forward to continuing this journey

[Friar Francis]

with you again tomorrow.

[Prayer Reader 3]

Poco.

[Friar Francis]

Poco. Friends, God bless y'.

[Prayer Reader 1]

All.