Day 187: God is Never Outdone - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Summary4 min read

The Rosary in a Year Podcast: Day 187 – "God is Never Outdone"

Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Guest: Fr. Bede
Release Date: July 6, 2025

Introduction

In Day 187 of The Rosary in a Year podcast, hosted by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames and Fr. Bede, listeners are guided through a meditative exploration of the fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary: the Assumption of Mary. This episode blends theological insights with artistic reflection, offering a profound journey into Marian devotion and its impact on spiritual life.

Artistic Meditation: The Assumption of Mary in Burgos Cathedral

Fr. Bede begins the episode by introducing a stunning piece of stained glass from the Burgos Cathedral, titled Assumption of Mary. Created in the 15th-16th centuries, the exact artist remains unknown, yet the artwork exemplifies the collaborative craftsmanship influenced by Flemish and Spanish Gothic traditions.

Description of the Artwork (01:32 – 02:40):

Central Figure: Virgin Mary ascending to heaven, surrounded by blue clouds and flanked by angels with vibrant wings. Her palms are open, symbolizing her humble offering.
Foreground: Two haloed men tenderly tending to blossoms in a garden bed resembling an empty tomb, signifying resurrection and eternal life.
Background: Ornate Gothic tracery with curling gold details adorn the side panels, framing ten disciples gazing upward in awe.

Fr. Bede remarks, “Mary being assumed into heaven, being depicted through the stained glass window… fits beautifully within our Rosary in a Year pilgrimage, complementing the Transfiguration mystery we previously explored.”

Theological Insights: Connecting Transfiguration and Assumption

Building on the visual meditation, Fr. Bede delves into the theological connections between the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Assumption of Mary.

Key Points:

Transfiguration: Jesus’ garment becomes dazzling white on the mountain (03:28). This transformation signifies Jesus glorifying what he receives from Mary.
Mary's Role: "He receives his humanity from Mary... more right than just receiving material clothing from Mary, he receives his humanity, his flesh," emphasizing Mary as the source of Jesus' human nature.

Fr. Bede cites St. Augustine, stating, “He took his flesh from the flesh of Mary,” highlighting the profound unity between Jesus and Mary. This relationship culminates in the Assumption, where Jesus bestows a share in his divinity to Mary through theosis, the process of becoming divine.

Generosity and Divine Light: Mary's Transformation

The conversation transitions to the theme of generosity and divine light as central to understanding Mary’s Assumption.

Highlights:

Jesus’ Generosity: “The creature, even Mary, will never best the generosity of the Creator,” indicating that God's gifts transcend human generosity.
Mary’s Transformation: From receiving Jesus' humanity—being cared for, clothed, lifted up—and ultimately being assumed into heavenly glory. “Mary who clothed Jesus with this fragile fabric is now dressed in light” (06:18).

Fr. Bede emphasizes that Mary's journey from earthly suffering to heavenly glory serves as a model for all believers, underscoring that “God is never outdone in generosity” (07:05).

Invitation to Share in Divine Nature

Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 460), Fr. Bede invites listeners to embrace the call to share in the divine nature.

Core Message:

Divine Sonship: By entering communion with the Word, humans are invited to become “sons of God.”
Eternal Life: Just as Mary shares in Jesus’ divinity, believers are invited to share in eternal life and divine light.
Transformation: “We who serve him in time will be invited to reign with him for eternity” (07:42).

Fr. Bede encourages listeners to relinquish earthly attachments and focus on heavenly glory, fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary.

Conclusion and Prayer

The episode concludes with a communal prayer, the Rosary, led by Fr. Bede, Brother Joseph, and Sister Mary. The prayer serves as both a culmination of the day's meditation and a practical application of the discussed themes, reinforcing the transformative power of the Rosary in fostering a deeper spiritual life.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Bede: “Brothers and sisters, we are called to share in the very life of God” (05:28).

Listeners are reminded to continue their journey in prayer, building daily habits that nurture their relationship with the divine through the Rosary.

Final Thoughts

Day 187 of The Rosary in a Year offers a rich tapestry of art, theology, and personal reflection, guiding listeners to a deeper appreciation of Mary’s role in salvation history and their own spiritual growth. By connecting the Assumption to the Transfiguration and emphasizing the boundless generosity of God, Fr. Bede and Fr. Mark-Mary Ames provide insightful teachings that resonate with both novices and seasoned practitioners of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan and additional resources, visit Ascension Press - Rosary in a Year.

“God is never outdone in generosity,” encapsulates the essence of this episode, inspiring believers to embrace the profound gifts of grace through Mary’s example and the Rosary’s meditative power.

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[00:00]
Father Mark
Foreign.
[00:05]
Father Bede
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.
[00:15]
Father Francis
The Rosary in a Year is brought.
[00:16]
Father Bede
To you by Ascension.
[00:18]
Father Mark
This is day 187.
[00:21]
Father Bede
To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text R I Y 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 the Podcast 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. Today we will be meditating upon and praying with the fourth glorious mystery, the Assumption, with help from a stained glass in the Burgos Cathedral entitled Assumption of Mary. Brief Introduction to Our Artwork the specific artist of the Assumption of Mary stained glass is unknown. It was created in the 15th 16th century and though the exact artist is unknown, the stained glass reflects the collaborative craftsmanship of Burgos Cathedral's workshops, influenced by Flemish and Spanish Gothic traditions.
[01:32]
Father Mark
And now.
[01:32]
Father Francis
A description of today's artwork.
[01:37]
Father Bede
In the center of a group of.
[01:40]
Father Francis
Three windows, through the jewel toned hues of stained glass shines the Virgin Mary with a golden halo. Mary rises above earth upon blue clouds flanked with angels with colorful wings. Her palms are opened. Behind her the blue clouds open up to reveal yellow beams as she is assumed to heaven. Directly below her, two haloed men gently tend to blossoms in a raised garden bed shaped like a sarcophagus resembling an empty tomb. Each of the vibrant windows are decorated with ornate Gothic tracery with curling gold details in the side panels. Ten disciples, five in each window, stand among grasses, rocks and distant mountains. Their golden halos glow as they gaze upward in awe, witnessing the miraculous moment of Mary's Assumption.
[02:41]
Father Bede
Today we have Mary being assumed into heaven, being depicted through the stained glass window and I'd say it's actually quite fitting that our two stained glass windows that we've looked at in this Rosary in a Year pilgrimage here have been the mystery of the Transfiguration and now secondly, the mystery of the Assumption. And again, I think this is fitting and so I'm going to go ahead and take a moment and connect the dots, starting with a like a poetic pious tradition and then moving towards that.
[03:24]
Father Mark
Which is more profound and more sure.
[03:29]
Father Bede
So there's what can be called, like a pious tradition that the garment being worn by Jesus at the transfiguration was made for him by Mary. And what in the Gospels do we read about the garment? We read that on the mountain, Jesus was transfigured and his garment was made dazzling white. And commentators on this Gospel and in this detail, such as Pope Benedict xvi, see in the dazzling white garment a promise that Jesus will glorify that which he receives from us. And he will glorify us, he says, through baptism, we are clothed with Jesus in light, and we ourselves become light. So now let's take this kind of a little bit deeper, looking at the relationship between Jesus and Mary. Jesus receives his humanity from Mary. Like St. Augustine says, this is a quote. He took his flesh from the flesh of Mary. So even more right than just receiving material clothing from Mary, he receives his humanity, his flesh, from Mary, and he glorifies it. In turn, he will glorify Mary. Jesus, who received a share in her humanity, will give her a share in his divinity through what is called theosis, the transfiguration. That first window gives witness to the fact that Jesus is the light. The Assumption gives witness to Mary becoming light by grace. Brothers and sisters, we are called to share in the very life of God. And what I want to key in on is, is the way in which Jesus is not outdone in generosity in the life of Mary and then in.
[05:39]
Father Mark
Our lives as well.
[05:41]
Father Bede
So a little review, right? Jesus takes from Mary his humanity growing up in Nazareth, right? He is cared for by Mary, given.
[05:51]
Brother Joseph
Earthly food by Mary.
[05:53]
Father Bede
He is dressed by Mary as a young boy. His tears are wiped away by Mary. He's lifted up and carried by Mary. And then he's offered to the Father by Mary. And she freely assents, right, to sharing in Jesus's suffering.
[06:13]
Father Mark
All of this in time, all of this on earth, right?
[06:19]
Father Bede
Then what does Mary receive from Jesus? He gives to her a share in his divinity. Not only was Mary nourished by his body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist, but now she shares in Jesus eternal life. Her tears have been wiped away forever. She who clothed Jesus with this fragile fabric is now dressed in light. Mary who carried him in her womb, is lifted up, assumed into heaven by God. And she who suffered in time shares.
[07:05]
Brother Joseph
In the glory of heaven forever.
[07:10]
Father Bede
Mary gave so much to Jesus. In fact, she gave everything to Jesus. And Jesus received everything she gave. It was a pleasing offering. And in repayment, he gives to her even more. The creature, even Mary, will never best the generosity of the Creator. And what has been true for Mary.
[07:43]
Father Mark
Will be true for all the saints.
[07:46]
Father Bede
All the faithful souls who follow Jesus and remain in Jesus. He will never be outdone in generosity. We who serve him in time will be invited to reign with him for eternity. My brothers and sisters, we too are called to become light sharers in the divine nature. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 460 states, the Word became flesh to make us partakers of the divine nature. This is why the Word became man.
[08:23]
Father Mark
And the Son of God became the Son of man.
[08:26]
Father Bede
So that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a Son of God. As we pray today, we move our eyes from this fleeting world with its profound but passing sufferings.
[08:46]
Father Mark
And we set our eyes on heaven. We set our eyes on glory and.
[08:52]
Father Bede
On the hope of sharing for eternity.
[08:56]
Brother Joseph
In the very life of God.
[08:59]
Father Bede
Now with Mary, let us pray.
[09:02]
Brother Joseph
In the name of the Father and.
[09:03]
Father Mark
Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[09:07]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[09:09]
Brother Joseph
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[09:14]
Father Bede
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
[09:18]
Father Mark
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.
[09:34]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[09:36]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[09:38]
Father Mark
Is with the blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:46]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:49]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:52]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[09:54]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:56]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:04]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:06]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:09]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[10:11]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:13]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:20]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:23]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:27]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[10:29]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:31]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:38]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:41]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:44]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[10:46]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:48]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:56]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:58]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:02]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[11:04]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:06]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:13]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:15]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:19]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[11:21]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:22]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:30]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:33]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:36]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[11:38]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:40]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[11:47]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[11:50]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:53]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[11:54]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[11:56]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[12:04]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[12:06]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[12:10]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[12:12]
Brother Joseph
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[12:14]
Father Mark
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[12:21]
Brother Joseph
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[12:24]
Father Mark
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[12:27]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[12:29]
Brother Joseph
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
[12:33]
Father Mark
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
[12:39]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[12:40]
Brother Joseph
In the name of the Father and.
[12:42]
Father Mark
Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[12:44]
Sister Mary
Amen.
[12:46]
Father Mark
All right.
[12:46]
Father Bede
Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey.
[12:50]
Brother Joseph
With you again tomorrow. Poco, poco.
[12:52]
Father Mark
Friends, God bless you.