Day 205: With Us Always - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Day 205: With Us Always

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

Published: Thu Jul 24 2025

Fr. Mark-Mary explains that the Ascension is not Christ’s departure, but the perfection of His presence with us. No longer limited by time or space, Jesus is now intimately present to each of us in a divine way. Through acts of charity and love, we follow in His footsteps and are drawn into deeper union with Him. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Day 205 – "With Us Always"

Podcast Information:

Title: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Host/Author: Ascension
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Episode Title: Day 205: With Us Always

Overview: In Day 205 of "The Rosary in a Year," Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, delves into the second Glorious Mystery of the Rosary—the Ascension of Jesus Christ. This episode offers profound theological reflections, draws inspiration from Saint Augustine's teachings, and explores the symbolic significance of Jesus' footprints, all aimed at fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary through prayer and meditation.

1. Introduction to the Day’s Theme

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames opens the session by setting the stage for the day's meditation on the Ascension, emphasizing its place as the second Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. He encourages listeners to engage with the provided prayer plan and highlights the importance of building a daily prayer habit.

Key Points:

Prayer Plan Access: Lists avenues to access the Rosary in a Year prayer plan, including the Ascension Press website and the Ascension app.
Subscription Reminder: Encourages listeners to subscribe for daily notifications and access to additional Rosary recordings.

2. Theological Insights on the Ascension

Fr. Ames revisits previous discussions on the Ascension, framing it not as a departure but as a joyful transition into a deeper, non-spatial divine presence.

Notable Insights:

Psalm 110 Fulfillment: He relates the Ascension to Psalm 110:1, interpreting Jesus' return to the Father's right hand as a fulfillment of prophetic scripture.

"In Psalm 110, the Lord says to David, 'The Lord says to my Lord, sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.' In the Ascension, we see Jesus returning to the Father's right hand." [05:30]
Pope Benedict XVI’s Perspective: Citing "Jesus Christ Risen from the Dead," Fr. Ames explains that God's presence transcends spatial limitations, presenting Jesus’ Ascension as a movement into divine dominion rather than a physical departure.

"God is not in one space among other spaces. His presence is not spatial but divine." [08:15]
Emmanuel—God with Us: Emphasizes that the Ascension perfects Jesus' promise of being with us eternally, enhancing His presence beyond the constraints of space and time.

"It's not a contradiction but a perfection of Jesus being with us for all eternity." [10:45]

3. Saint Augustine’s Teachings on Charity and Ascension

Fr. Ames draws from Saint Augustine’s writings to explore how acts of charity and love are integral to following Christ’s Ascension.

Key Highlights:

Augustine’s Aphorism:

"Run with the hearts of affection, journey with love, ascend by charity, cleave unto Christ, who by descending and ascending has made Himself the way." [13:20]
Connection Between Charity and Spiritual Growth: Fr. Ames interprets Augustine's words to mean that ascending spiritually requires clinging to Christ through acts of charity, both towards God and neighbor.

"These are all ways in which we cling to Christ and are transformed by Him." [16:05]
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: Highlights how engaging in mercy works is a practical manifestation of cleaving to Christ and participating in His ascension.

"Our acts of charity allow us to encounter Christ and share in His love and service." [18:50]

4. Symbolism of Jesus’ Footprints in Bernardino Gandino’s Painting

The episode transitions to an artistic meditation, focusing on Bernardino Gandino's baroque depiction of the Ascension, particularly the symbolic footprints of Jesus.

Discussion Points:

Footprints as a Calling to Follow: Fr. Ames explains that the footprints symbolize Jesus' invitation to follow Him, not merely to walk in His path but to embody His life and love.

"Jesus reveals Himself as the way. Following His footprints means living like Jesus, loving like Jesus, and remaining in His truth." [21:30]
Franciscan Devotion: Emphasizes the Franciscans' special veneration for Jesus' footprints, reflecting St. Francis’s dedication to imitating Christ's life.

"St. Francis had a profound devotion to following in the footprints of Jesus, signifying a deep commitment to His way of life." [23:10]
Paschal Dimension: Connects the Ascension with the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary, suggesting that following Jesus’ footprints includes participating in His sufferings and ultimately sharing in His resurrection.

"By following His footprints, we rise with Him and descend with Him, embracing both His sorrow and glory." [25:00]

5. Invitation to Prayer and Acts of Charity

Fr. Ames invites listeners to internalize the themes discussed through prayer and actionable charity, aligning their lives with the teachings of Jesus.

Encouragements:

Embracing Emmanuel: Encourages experiencing the newness of Jesus’ presence through daily prayer, facilitating a personal relationship with the risen Lord.

"In this time of prayer, you can experience the newness of Jesus' presence, Emmanuel with us." [27:15]
Acts of Charity as Response: Highlights that responding to the Ascension involves concrete acts of love towards God and neighbor, embodying the charity that aligns with Christ’s ascension.

"Our response to the Ascension is cleaving to Christ through our works of charity." [28:40]

6. Structured Prayer: The Four Rs and The Rosary

The episode transitions into a structured prayer segment, guided by the Four Rs framework—Receive, Reflect, Respond, and Rejoice.

Prayer Structure:

Receive: Acknowledging the grace and truth presented.
Reflect: Meditating on the significance of the Ascension.
Respond: Deciding how to act upon the received grace.
Rejoice: Giving thanks to God for His presence and grace.

Rosary Recitation: Fr. Ames leads listeners through the traditional Rosary prayer, reinforcing the meditative and communal aspects of this Marian devotion.

Conclusion: Embracing the Journey

Fr. Ames wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to listeners for joining in prayer and encouraging them to continue their spiritual journey together.

"Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow. Poco poco. Friends. God bless you." [39:50]

Final Thoughts: Day 205 emphasizes the transformative power of the Ascension mystery, urging listeners to deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary through disciplined prayer, charitable actions, and a heartfelt commitment to follow in Christ's footsteps.

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