Day 192: A Renewed “Yes”

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 192: A Renewed “Yes”)

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Episode: Day 192: A Renewed “Yes”
• Release Date: July 11, 2025

In this enriching episode of The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through a profound meditation on the fourth joyful mystery of the Rosary—the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The episode, titled "A Renewed 'Yes'," delves deep into themes of faith, freedom, and unwavering devotion amidst life's chaos.

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1. Introduction and Prayer Plan Overview

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames begins by welcoming listeners and providing practical information on accessing the Rosary in a Year prayer plan. He emphasizes the structured approach of the program, which allows participants to build a daily prayer habit incrementally.

Mark Mary (00:30): "You'll get an outline of how we're going to pray each month and it's a great way to track your progress."

He highlights the availability of additional resources, such as the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide and the Ascension app, which offers special features and full Rosary recordings.

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2. Meditation on the Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation

The core of the episode focuses on the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the fourth joyful mystery of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames introduces the theme by recalling the words of Simeon from the Scriptures.

Franciscan Friar (01:19): "My own eyes have seen the salvation."

He explains the significance of Simeon's Canticle and how it underscores the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus.

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3. Story of Ray: A Testament of Faith

To illustrate the transformative power of faith, Fr. Ames shares the poignant story of Ray, an elderly blind man who found solace and joy in the Rosary.

Franciscan Friar (01:46): "Ray was a blind and homeless man who joined us every night to pray the Compline."

Despite his physical blindness, Ray’s spiritual vision allowed him to "see" the salvation prepared by God, leading him to embrace the Catholic faith fully. His journey, marked by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion, embodies the profound impact of sincere prayer.

Franciscan Friar (02:58): "He found his joy, his confidence, his hope, and his faith in Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us."

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4. Reflection on Mary’s Fiat and Freedom in Christ

Fr. Ames transitions to a reflection on Mary’s unwavering "yes" to God’s will, drawing parallels to St. John Paul II’s teachings on freedom.

Franciscan Friar (05:02): "Mary renews her fiat. She renews her, yes."

He connects this to St. John Paul II’s statement:

Franciscan Friar (03:56): "All my time is free."

This reflection emphasizes that true freedom is found in freely offering oneself to God, much like Mary did at the Presentation and throughout her life.

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5. Insights from St. John Paul II and Mary’s Role

Exploring deeper theological insights, Fr. Ames discusses how Mary’s "yes" mirrors Jesus’ own sacrifice.

Franciscan Friar (04:37): "I lay my life down freely."

Mary’s participation in Jesus' mission, especially during the Presentation, exemplifies the ultimate act of love and submission to God's plan.

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6. Visual Reflection on Giulio Campi's Fresco

Using Giulio Campi's fresco of the Presentation in the Temple as a visual aid, Fr. Ames invites listeners to observe Mary’s serene focus amidst the surrounding chaos.

Franciscan Friar (06:31): "Our eyes find the eyes of Mary."

He contrasts the bustling environment of the temple with Mary's inner stillness, encouraging listeners to emulate her ability to remain centered on Jesus despite external distractions.

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7. Invitation to Embrace Freedom and Focus on Jesus

Fr. Ames extends an invitation to listeners to cultivate a similar inner disposition, maintaining focus on Jesus as the source of joy and hope.

Franciscan Friar (07:46): "We keep our eyes on Jesus amidst the chaos and the commotion."

He emphasizes that, like Mary, believers are called to say "yes" to God's offerings, embracing the freedom and peace that comes from unwavering faith.

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8. Time of Prayers

The episode concludes with a guided prayer session following the four Rs: Reflect, Respond, Receive, and Rejoice. Fr. Ames leads the listeners through the Our Father, Hail Marys, and Glory Be, fostering a communal prayer experience.

Franciscan Friar (11:17): "Pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

The repetitive and meditative nature of the prayers reinforces the episode's themes of focus, faith, and freedom.

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Conclusion

Day 192 of The Rosary in a Year offers a deep and thoughtful exploration of faith through the lens of the Rosary's joyful mysteries. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames masterfully intertwines scripture, personal stories, theological insights, and visual reflections to inspire a renewed commitment to prayer and devotion. Listeners are encouraged to embrace a "yes" to God, much like Mary, finding peace and joy in their relationship with Jesus and Mary amidst life's inevitable chaos.

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

Transcript

[Sam]

Foreign.

[Mark Mary]

Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars of Renewal and this is the Rosary in a Year podcast. We're 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.

[Franciscan Friar]

The Rosary in a Year is brought to you by Ascension and this is day 1 92.

[Mark Mary]

To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in.

[Friar]

A year or text RIY to 33777.

[Mark Mary]

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 the.

[Franciscan Friar]

Podcast is in the Ascension app.

[Mark Mary]

There are special features built just for this podcast and also recordings of the full rosary with myself and other friars.

[Friar]

I encourage you to pick up a.

[Franciscan Friar]

Copy of the Rosary in the Year.

[Mark Mary]

Prayer Guide, a book published by Ascension that was designed to complement this podcast.

[Friar]

You'll find all the daily readings from.

[Mark Mary]

Scripture, saint reflections and beautiful images of.

[Franciscan Friar]

The sacred art will be reflecting on.

[Friar]

Today.

We will be meditating upon and praying.

[Franciscan Friar]

With the fourth joyful mystery, the Presentation.

[Friar]

So today, before we get into our.

Time of prayer, we'll go ahead and.

Have a little review of what we.

Have covered to this point.

If you recall back inspired by the.

Words of Simeon at the presentation, My own eyes have seen the salvation. My own eyes have seen the salvation of God.

And I called to mind the prayer, we call it the Canticle of Simeon, that religious priest. So myself personally, we pray every night.

[Franciscan Friar]

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. Your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

[Friar]

And I share the story of Ray.

[Franciscan Friar]

Who was a man in our homeless.

[Friar]

Shelter who would join us for compland every night. And if you recall, one of the.

[Franciscan Friar]

Characteristics of Ray was that he was.

[Friar]

Blind and that blindness isn't necessarily a total absolute inability to see, but sometimes.

[Franciscan Friar]

You can see a little bit.

[Friar]

And so Ray had these big, big glasses and we had these huge printouts of these words of compline.

[Franciscan Friar]

And every night, every night he would.

[Friar]

Sit in the chapel and he would.

Pray these words with all sincerity and genuineness and faith. My own eyes have seen the salvation. And how Ray, as he came to be Catholic amongst us, as he came to be confirmed and receive his first.

Communion.

[Franciscan Friar]

He was an elderly man, he.

[Friar]

Was a homeless man, he was a blind man, but he was a joyful man. Why? Because his own eyes, his eyes of.

[Franciscan Friar]

Faith, had seen the salvation that God.

[Friar]

Had Prepared in the sight of all peoples. He knew Jesus, and he knew what Jesus meant.

[Franciscan Friar]

And he found his joy, his confidence, his hope, and his faith in Jesus.

[Friar]

Emmanuel, God with us. So there can be an invitation today.

[Franciscan Friar]

As we pray, to look upon Jesus.

[Friar]

Again with the eyes of faith, just like Ray did, and to find our.

[Franciscan Friar]

Joy, our confidence, our fullness, our satisfaction, our hope in Jesus.

[Friar]

Just like Ray did.

And we ourselves can echo the canticle of Simeon, Lord, like now, you let your servant go in peace, Lord, you are enough.

And we also talked about this quote.

[Franciscan Friar]

From St. John Paul II in one of his interviews, when someone asked John.

[Friar]

Paul ii, like, what do you do with your free time?

And he said, all my time is free.

In the context of looking at this.

[Franciscan Friar]

Quote, remember Saint Alphonsus wrote, now we.

[Friar]

Begin to see how much the sacrifice.

[Franciscan Friar]

Cost her and what heroic virtue she, referring to Mary, was obliged to practice when she had herself to sign the sentence of condemnation of her dear Jesus to death.

[Friar]

And I shared the story of Pope.

[Franciscan Friar]

St. John Paul II.

[Friar]

All my time is free.

[Franciscan Friar]

In some ways echoing Jesus own words, like, no one takes my life from me.

[Friar]

I lay it down freely.

What St. John Paul II is saying is, like, I am free. And whatever is happening to me, it's never just happening to me.

I am free.

[Franciscan Friar]

I am free in Jesus. Like no one condemns me to death. I lay my life down freely.

[Friar]

And what we see in Mary, which is so profound but also in many.

[Franciscan Friar]

Ways so challenging, is that at the presentation.

[Friar]

And as she continues to walk.

[Franciscan Friar]

With Jesus all the way to Calvary, she presents Jesus, she offers Jesus, she.

[Friar]

Freely shares in Jesus sacrifice.

[Franciscan Friar]

And that Mary, at the presentation in the temple, she renews her fiat. She renews her, yes. And that as Simeon prophesies that her own soul will be pierced, she says, yes.

[Friar]

She says yes. And so we see Mary sharing in.

[Franciscan Friar]

Not only the sufferings of Jesus, but.

[Friar]

The offering of Jesus.

There's many ways in which we ourselves.

[Franciscan Friar]

Are invited to enter into this freedom. The freedom of the sons and daughters of God, the freedom made possible only.

[Friar]

Through the Holy Spirit.

[Franciscan Friar]

The freedom that says yes.

[Friar]

That shares in the offering.

And so we see Mary, we ponder.

Mary, we marvel at Mary, we are.

Inspired by Mary.

And her freedom and her offering.

[Franciscan Friar]

In our last reflection for a review.

[Friar]

Today.

[Franciscan Friar]

We spent a day with Giulio Campi's fresco, the Presentation in the Temple.

[Friar]

In the scene, it's filled with chaos and commotion as Simeon is leaning backwards with his eyes closed and people are moving and looking all around. But in the midst of the chaos.

[Franciscan Friar]

Our eyes find the eyes of Mary.

[Friar]

And Mary's eyes are just fixed on Jesus.

And we find Mary here, right? And we recall to mind Mary in.

The stillness, the quiet, the intimacy of the nativity where her eyes were on Jesus.

And we see her again now in a situation where exteriorly everything has changed. And they're in the temple and there's people everywhere. And again there's chaos, there's commotion. But still, like Mary's interior disposition has not changed.

[Franciscan Friar]

She remains at rest, in adoration, in love and focus.

[Friar]

And we see in Mary here this invitation to keep our eyes on Jesus. We keep our eyes on Jesus amidst.

The chaos and the commotion.

And we find in him our confidence.

Our joy, our peace.

So today, as we reviewed the presentation.

[Franciscan Friar]

There'S this invitation to look with eyes of faith, to see Jesus, the cause.

[Friar]

Of our salvation, the cause of our.

Joy, the source of our hope.

We ponder Mary's yes, the renewal of her fiat, her freely sharing in the offering. And perhaps ourselves are being invited today.

[Franciscan Friar]

To say yes to an offering.

[Friar]

But in all of this, in all of the commotion and all of the.

Chaos, like where we keep our eyes on Jesus.

So we'll just remain here.

We'Ll linger a bit. And now we'll leisurely move to our time of prayers, following this roadmap of the four Rs.

So today, from your own prayer, from.

What I've shared again today, what is the characteristic of the heart of God.

That is being revealed, that you are.

Being invited to receive? How are you being invited to respond?

[Sam]

Sam.

[Friar]

What grace do you need to request and then rejoice?

Give thanks to God.

For the truth's revealed.

And the graces shared. And now, together with Mary, let us.

Pray in the name of the Father.

And of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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.

Amen.

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

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.

Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

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

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.

Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

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

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

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Sam]

Holy.

[Friar]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the blessed art.

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is.

Now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

In the name of the Father and.

Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

All right.

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

[Franciscan Friar]

I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow.

[Friar]

Poco. Poco.

Friends, God bless you all.