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

Episode: Day 26: The Room is Ours (2026)

Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (Ascension)

Overview:

Day 26 of "The Rosary in a Year" podcast continues the theme of home and Christ’s Ascension, exploring the comforting truth that "the room is ours"—that a place has already been prepared for us in the Father’s house. Fr. Mark-Mary reflects on the meaning of heaven, drawing on the words of Jesus in John 14 and the theological insights of Pope Benedict XVI. Through accessible analogy and practical encouragement, he challenges listeners to live in hope, seeing our communion with Christ as both a present reality and a future promise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Promise of a Prepared Place

• Fr. Mark-Mary sets the scene by recalling John 14:1-4, where Jesus assures us that He has gone to prepare a place in His Father's house:
  • "Let not your hearts be troubled... In my Father's house are many rooms... I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (01:14)
• He emphasizes that, through our baptism, we already share in Christ’s victory and are, in a real way, "already there" in God's home.

2. Theological Reflection: 'Already, Not Yet'

• Discusses the Christian concept of “already but not yet”—our place with God is secured, even as we journey toward its full realization.
• Fr. Mark-Mary frames the Ascension as both a present gift ("already in communion with Jesus") and a future fulfillment ("not yet fully arrived").

3. Words of Pope Benedict XVI

• Quotes Pope Benedict XVI on the nature of heaven:
  • "Heaven... does not indicate a place above the stars, but something far more daring and sublime... It indicates Christ himself, the divine person who welcomes humanity fully and forever..." (04:18)
• Expands: Heaven is not just a place, but "our being in God, in Jesus Christ through baptism."
• Pope Benedict’s insight:
  • "We enter heaven, we already are in our room, in the Father’s house... to the extent that we draw close to Jesus and enter into communion with Him." (05:32)

4. Analogies for Understanding Home in Christ

• Fr. Mark-Mary offers a simple analogy:
  • It’s like Jesus bought a mansion and invited us all to live with Him. On the journey there, you’re “FaceTiming Jesus,” already seeing your room, getting a foretaste—even before fully arriving. (07:11)
• He acknowledges all analogies are incomplete, but they help us relate to the mystery.

5. Hope Amidst Suffering

• The state of being “not yet home” brings suffering, frustration, and pain—stiffness "in the car," so to speak.
• Fr. Mark-Mary insists:
  • "Pain and suffering, physical suffering does not have the last word. Sickness does not have the last word. Death does not have the last word. What does have the last word is that Jesus Christ is risen... He’s already prepared a place for us." (10:05)
• Our sufferings are temporary; our destiny is the joy of union with Christ.

6. Practical Encouragement: Pray with Imagination

• Invites listeners to engage personally:
  • Imagine talking to Jesus—“FaceTime Jesus,” ask Him to tell you about the Father’s house, to remind you that your suffering is temporary and peace is eternal.
• Encourages rejoicing in Christ’s victory even now, amidst struggle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christ’s Ascension and Our Share in His Home:

  "There is a room for us in the Father’s house. And what’s true of this mystery of the Ascension is that in some way, the room is already ours... because Christ is there.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (02:25)

• Pope Benedict XVI on Heaven:

  “Heaven… does not indicate a place above the stars, but something far more daring and sublime… It indicates Christ himself, the divine person who welcomes humanity fully and forever.”
  — Pope Benedict XVI, quoted by Fr. Mark-Mary (04:18)

• Our Current Suffering and Future Hope:

  “Physical suffering does not have the last word. Sickness does not have the last word. Sadness does not have the last word. Death does not have the last word. What does have the last word is that Jesus Christ is risen… He’s already prepared a place for us.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (10:11)

• Invitation to Intimate Prayer:

  “With a prayer of your imagination, talk to Jesus… ‘Hey Jesus, tell us about the Father’s house… Remind me that it’s all worth it. Remind me that the pain and the suffering are passing, and they will not have the last word…’”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (12:11)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [01:14] – John 14:1-4 read aloud; the assurance of a place in the Father’s house
• [02:25] – The “already but not yet” mystery
• [04:18] – Pope Benedict XVI’s homily on the meaning of heaven
• [07:11] – Analogy of Jesus’ mansion and FaceTiming en route
• [10:05] – Suffering doesn’t have the last word; Christ’s victory gives us hope
• [12:11] – Practical invitation to pray with imagination and hope

Tone & Style

• The episode maintains Fr. Mark-Mary’s warm, accessible, and slightly playful style (e.g., the FaceTime analogy), grounded in deep theological reflection. His sincerity and humility are clear as he offers analogies and acknowledges their limits, and as he earnestly encourages listeners to find hope and joy even in “the valley of tears.”

Summary:
In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames offers spiritual clarity and hope, reminding listeners that their place in God's heart is secure because of Christ’s Ascension. Drawing on both Scripture and Pope Benedict XVI, he underlines that heaven is fundamentally about communion with Jesus—a reality accessible now and fulfilled in the future. The invitation is simple yet profound: live today with the assurance that “the room is ours,” and let that hope bear fruit in prayer, patience, and joy.