Day 23: Creator of Heaven and Earth

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

Published: Thu Jan 23 2025

Were you there when he laid the foundation of the Earth? Fr. Mark-Mary brings us this pertinent question from the book of Job as we reflect on the Apostles Creed that we pray every Rosary. He explains that this question, far from being accusatory, is a promise of care from the Lord, a promise that we can trust in God to be God. Today’s focus is “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, ” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Day 23 - Creator of Heaven and Earth

Podcast Title: The Rosary in a Year
Episode: Day 23: Creator of Heaven and Earth
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Produced by: Ascension

Introduction to the Episode

In Day 23 of The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames delves into the profound theme of God as the Creator of Heaven and Earth. This episode invites listeners to deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary through prayer and meditation, particularly focusing on understanding and revering God's creative power.

Meditation on the Apostles' Creed

Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes the dual impact of the Apostles' Creed, highlighting how it not only shapes our intellect but also fills our hearts with faith and reverence.

“One of the most beautiful and moving takeaways from my time in seminary was seeing how our Dogmatics professor... was moved by the Creed... they don't just form the intellect, which they do, and that's important. They also fill the heart.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [02:15]

He encourages listeners to meditate on specific parts of the Creed over the coming days, allowing the truths it professes to resonate both mentally and emotionally.

Exploring God as Creator

The core of the episode revolves around understanding God’s role as the Creator, drawing inspiration from the Book of Job, chapter 38. Fr. Mark-Mary reads and reflects upon God's powerful response to Job’s questioning, underscoring the vastness and intricacy of creation that surpass human comprehension.

“Were you there when I created the world?... You can't even make a donkey.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [05:30]

He illustrates that humans often attempt to control or emulate divine power, yet God’s creative acts—from laying the earth’s foundations to orchestrating the natural order of creatures like hawks and eagles—remain beyond our capacity.

Humanity’s Response to Divine Creation

Fr. Mark-Mary urges listeners to adopt a posture of reverence and trust in response to recognizing God's creative majesty. He warns against the human tendency to overstep by trying to "run the world" or dictate terms that belong solely to the Creator.

“The response is reverence. The response is trust. The response is, okay, Lord your God...”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [10:45]

By reflecting on the beauty and complexity of creation, listeners are encouraged to praise and marvel at God’s ongoing work, fostering a deeper sense of humility and dependence on divine providence.

Jesus’ Example of Trust in Creation

To illustrate a more relatable scenario, Fr. Mark-Mary references Jesus’ interaction with Mary when Lazarus was in the tomb. Despite the impending miracle, Jesus expresses genuine sorrow and empathy.

“Jesus weeps. He enters into it, he receives it. But then he communicates and reminds that I am God, I am the resurrection and the life.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [15:20]

This example serves to show that true trust in God involves both shared human suffering and unwavering faith in God’s creative and restorative power.

Invitation to Trust and Repentance

Concluding the theological exploration, Fr. Mark-Mary extends an invitation to listeners to bring their doubts, pains, and attempts to control their lives to God with trust and reverence. He calls for repentance from any behavior that seeks to usurp God’s role as Creator.

“Let us repent of all the ways in which we have tried to be God...”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [20:10]

He emphasizes surrendering to God’s will and recognizing His supreme authority over all creation.

Prayers and Reflection

The episode transitions into guided prayers, including the Our Father and multiple Hail Marys, reinforcing the themes discussed and providing listeners with practical avenues for deepening their prayer life.

Conclusion

Fr. Mark-Mary wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to listeners for joining in prayer and meditation. He looks forward to continuing the spiritual journey together, encouraging ongoing engagement with the Rosary and its transformative power.

“All right, friends, thank you for joining me and praying with me again today. I look forward to continuing the journey with you tomorrow.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [25:50]

Key Takeaways

Understanding the Creed: The Apostles' Creed serves as both an intellectual foundation and an emotional anchor, deepening one’s faith and love for God.
God’s Creative Sovereignty: Reflecting on God's role as Creator fosters humility and trust, reminding us of our place within His grand design.
Emulating Christ’s Trust: Jesus’ response to suffering exemplifies the balance between human emotion and divine trust, encouraging believers to follow suit.
Call to Repentance: Recognizing and repenting for our attempts to control life reinforces our dependence on God and nurtures a spirit of surrender.

Resources for Further Engagement

Complete Prayer Plan: For a structured approach to praying the Rosary over the year, visit Ascension Press - Rosary in a Year.
Podcast Access: Listen to The Rosary in a Year on the Ascension app, which offers special features and recordings of the full Rosary with Fr. Mark-Mary and other friars.

This episode of The Rosary in a Year serves as a profound exploration of God’s creative power, encouraging listeners to cultivate a deeper, more trusting relationship with the Creator through prayer, meditation, and reflection on the sacred mysteries of the Rosary.