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

Episode: Day 25 – "No Longer in Darkness" (Jan 24, 2026)

Episode Overview

In Day 25 of The Rosary in a Year, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, reflects on the portion of the Creed regarding Christ’s passion, crucifixion, descent into hell, and resurrection. He invites listeners to meditate on humanity's recurring choice of darkness over light, as encapsulated in the Gospel of John. Drawing from both scripture and Good Friday liturgy, Fr. Mark-Mary challenges listeners to confront their personal and communal roles in Christ's suffering while holding fast to the hope offered by the Resurrection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christ, the True Light Entering Our Darkness

• Scriptural Focus: John 1:9-11—Jesus as the “true light” who enters the world He created, but is not recognized or received by His own ("the world knew him not").
  • "The lens I've chosen ... comes from the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verse 9 and following: The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world." (01:17)
• Fr. Mark-Mary notes that creation was meant to be a home for both humanity and Jesus, but through sin, humanity prepared instead a tomb.

2. Mary's Role and the "Home" Prepared for Christ

• Mary, preserved from sin (the Immaculate Conception), was the home God prepared for His Son to enter the world.
  • "The Father is preparing a home by which His Son can enter into the world, by which the light can enter into our man-made darkness." (03:04)
• Despite divine preparation, humanity responds by rejecting Jesus—even fashioning His tomb.

3. Collective Responsibility for Christ’s Suffering

• Reflection on how, through personal and communal sin, each listener remains complicit in Christ’s passion.
  • "Sinners were the authors and ministers of all the sufferings that the Divine Redeemer endured." (05:00)
  • Referencing CCC 598, Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes ongoing responsibility: "We must regard as guilty all those who continue to relapse into their sins, since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross." (05:28)
• The reflection draws out the "heaviness" of these truths but encourages facing them "with God"—never in isolation or despair.

4. Hope and Light: Never Alone in Darkness

• Even amid sorrow and guilt, there is always a spark of resurrection hope, as symbolized in the Good Friday liturgy:
  • "By the grace of Jesus Christ... there's no longer total darkness even on Good Friday. The Good Friday liturgy lights the little candle in its mention of the Resurrection." (06:29)
• Engaging with one’s own sinfulness is an invitation to repentance, reconciliation, and renewed openness to Christ.

5. Praying the Good Friday "Reproaches"

• Fr. Mark-Mary leads a meditative prayer using the "Reproaches" from the Good Friday liturgy, allowing listeners to place themselves at the foot of the Cross with Mary.
  • "My people, what have I done to you? Or how have I grieved you? Answer me." (08:17)
  • This liturgical lament highlights God’s continual acts of mercy contrasted with humanity’s repeated betrayal.
  • Fr. Mark-Mary adds his own modern "reproach": "I prepared a home for you, and you led me to the tomb. My people, what have I done to you? Or how have I grieved you? Answer me." (11:10)

6. Closing in Hope: Good Friday Communion Prayer

• The episode closes with a prayer of hope drawn from the Good Friday liturgy:
  • "Almighty ever living God, who have restored us to life by the blessed death and resurrection of your Christ, preserve in us the work of your mercy..." (12:07)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Light Entering the World:
  • "The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world." (01:21)
• On Human Response to the Savior:
  • "We responded by creating for him a home of our own making...being a tomb." (04:13)
• On Personal Responsibility:
  • "While we may not have been alive...we could still very much say that he came to our home and by our own sins...we chose him not." (05:42)
• On Hope in Darkness:
  • "There's no longer total darkness even on Good Friday. ... with the light of faith and hope that God can bring about good." (06:41)
• On the Good Friday Reproaches:
  • "Because I led you out of the land of Egypt you have prepared a cross for your Savior..." (08:37)
  • "What more should I have done for you and have not done?" (09:37)
  • "I prepared a home for you, and you led me to the tomb." (11:10)
• On God's Redemptive Mercy:
  • "Preserve in us the work of your mercy, that partaking of this mystery, we may have a life unceasingly devoted to you through Christ our Lord." (12:07)

Structured Segment Timestamps

• [01:21] – Introduction of the Gospel lens: John 1:9-11
• [02:30] – Reflection on God the Creator and the creation of "home"
• [03:04] – Mary's role as the prepared home for Jesus
• [04:13] – Humanity’s rejection and building of a tomb for Christ
• [05:00-06:28] – Reference to Catechism, collective/global responsibility for Christ’s suffering
• [06:29-07:23] – Addressing heaviness with hope; invitation to repentance
• [08:17-11:10] – Praying the Good Friday “Reproaches”
• [12:07] – Concluding prayer of hope and mercy

Final Reflections

Fr. Mark-Mary's meditation weaves together biblical narrative, catechetical teaching, liturgical prayer, and personal exhortation. With deep compassion and honesty, he invites listeners to confront the darkness humanity has chosen, but always in the presence of Christ, who offers unquenchable hope. Listeners are guided not into guilt, but toward light, reconciliation, and a deepened trust in God’s mercy—empowered to receive the Savior, whenever and however He comes.

Poco a poco ("little by little"), as Fr. Mark-Mary lovingly repeats, we are invited to remain faithful in this journey of prayer, letting the light of Christ dispel all darkness.