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

Episode: Day 28: Be Joyful, Be Free
Date: January 28, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames explores the profound joy and freedom that comes from truly believing in the forgiveness of sins. Drawing from Scripture and personal reflection, he invites listeners to embody their faith with visible joy—in particular, the simple yet powerful act of smiling. Through the parable of the prodigal son, Father Mark-Mary encourages listeners to let go of the burdens of past sins and live fully in God's mercy, allowing themselves to rejoice and be free.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Faith Must Bear Fruit: Smiling as a Work of Belief

• Scriptural Foundation: The episode begins with James 2:18, which discusses the relationship between faith and works, stressing that faith, by its fruit, must be visible—“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (01:05)
• The Invitation to Joy: Fr. Mark-Mary challenges himself and listeners, “If we say we have faith, we believe in the forgiveness of sins, one of the works proper to our faith is to smile.” (01:49)
  • Being genuinely joyful is proposed as an authentic sign of belief in forgiveness.

The Prodigal Son: Letting Go of Imaginary Burdens

• The Parable Revisited: Father Mark-Mary retells the story from Luke 15, focusing on the son returning to the father burdened by guilt, and the father's embrace and celebration. (03:22–04:43)
  • He paints a vivid image: the son, bent by the memory of his sins, continues to carry an imaginary weight even after being forgiven.
• Letting the Burden Go: The father’s words to the son echo the divine invitation:

  “Son, the burden is gone. It is forgiven. Let it go.” (05:33)

  • Many continue to act burdened even after forgiveness, a theme Father extends to us all.

Living in Mercy: Honest Self-Examination and Freedom

• Call to Examine the Heart: Listeners are prompted to reflect:
  • Are there unconfessed or unrepentant sins? (06:55)
  • If not, and forgiveness has already been granted, are we still clinging to the memory or shame?
• Practical Spiritual Advice:
  • If there are unconfessed sins, bring them to the sacrament. (07:03)
  • If already confessed, “Let it go. It’s gone, it’s forgiven. The burden you’re carrying… is not real.” (07:10-07:14)
• A Prayer for Freedom and Joy:

  “Lift our eyes to yours. Lift our heads. Free our hands from the fake burden, the fake weight. Teach us to rejoice. Teach us to do the work of smiling as we celebrate and live in and swim in the waters of your mercy.” (07:21)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On faith and outward joy:
  • “If we say we have faith, we believe in the forgiveness of sins, one of the works proper to our faith is to smile... to stand upright, to be joyful, and to be free.” (01:49–02:33)
  • “I believe in the forgiveness of sins. And part of the work is letting go of the burden.” (05:54)
• On imaginary burdens:
  • “The burden you’re carrying, it is not real.” (07:14)
• On divine encouragement:
  • “Stand upright, my son. Stand tall, my daughter. Smile. Rejoice. Be joyful. Be free. Eat, drink, and be merry and celebrate with me that we are back together.” (06:14)

Important Timestamps

• Scripture Reading & Context: James 2:18, on faith and works — [01:05]
• Call to Smiling as a Sign of Forgiveness — [01:49]
• Retelling the Prodigal Son Parable — [03:22–05:45]
• Invitation to Let Go of Past Sins — [05:54–07:14]
• Prayer for Freedom and Joy — [07:21]
• Memorable Closing & Call to Joy — [09:15]:
  • “You believe in the forgiveness of sins? Tell your face.”

Episode Tone and Style

Fr. Mark-Mary’s tone is warm, pastoral, and slightly playful—he jokes with himself, uses everyday language, and brings relatable analogies to deep spiritual truths. His approach is encouraging, focusing on practical spirituality rooted in the joy of the Gospel.

Summary Takeaways

• Faith in the forgiveness of sins should be visible in joyful living—especially in one’s facial expression and posture.
• The memory of forgiven sins must not weigh us down; God invites us to live as people truly set free.
• Regular self-examination, authentic confession, and wholehearted celebration of God’s mercy are part of Christian discipleship.
• The work of faith is as simple—and challenging—as learning to smile again, “to do the work of smiling as we celebrate…your mercy.” (07:21)

For complete resources and the prayer plan, listeners are invited to visit ascensionpress.com/riy.