Podcast Summary: "The Rosary in a Year" - Day 36: The Kingdom and the Gospel

Introduction

In Day 36 of Ascension's "The Rosary in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, delves into "The Kingdom and the Gospel," the third luminous mystery of the Rosary. Released on February 5, 2025, this episode guides listeners through a profound exploration of two pivotal concepts in Christian theology: the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. Fr. Mark-Mary leverages insights from Pope Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth to deepen the understanding of these themes, encouraging a transformative prayer experience.

Exploring the Third Luminous Mystery

Fr. Mark-Mary begins the episode by introducing the day's focus: the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the call to conversion, as depicted in Mark 1:14-15. He emphasizes that this mystery not only reflects Jesus's mission but also invites listeners to embody and participate in the Kingdom through prayer and action.

Understanding the Gospel (Evangelion)

At [09:30], Fr. Mark-Mary embarks on a word study of "Gospel," originating from the Greek word "evangelion." While commonly translated as "good news," he explains that the term holds a deeper significance.

“The word 'gospel' or 'evangelion' in Greek is a word that would be used by Roman emperors… they kind of saw themselves as lords, as saviors, as redeemers of mankind.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [10:15]

He contrasts the imperial use of "evangelion" with its true meaning in Christian context. Unlike Roman emperors who used the term to assert their authority and redemptive power, Jesus reclaims "evangelion" to signify a saving message that is both informative and performative.

“Jesus is Evangelion… it's a saving message that is both informative but also performative. It doesn't just say something, it makes something happen.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [12:45]

Fr. Mark-Mary cites biblical examples where Jesus's words lead directly to miraculous outcomes, underscoring the active nature of the Gospel:

• Healing the Sick: “Be healed,” and they are healed.
• Raising the Dead: “Lazarus, come out,” and he emerges from the tomb.
• Forgiveness of Sins: “Father, forgive them,” and forgiveness is granted.

These instances illustrate how the Gospel transcends mere proclamation, effecting real change in the world.

The Kingdom of God (Basileia)

Transitioning to the concept of the Kingdom of God, Fr. Mark-Mary explores the Greek term "basileia," typically translated as "kingdom." However, he emphasizes that "basileia" encompasses more than just a realm or governmental structure.

“Kingdom is the English translation of a Greek word—basileia… it's a regal Function, it's an active lordship of the king.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [15:20]

Drawing from Pope Benedict XVI, he elucidates that the Kingdom of God is more verb-oriented than noun-oriented, representing God's active sovereignty rather than a static domain.

“The kingdom is more of a verb than a noun. It’s God's actual sovereignty over the world, which in Jesus Christ is becoming an event in history in a new way.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [16:00]

He further explains that Jesus's proclamation of the Kingdom is not merely announcing God's rule but actively demonstrating it through His actions—healing, teaching, and ultimately redeeming humanity.

“God is guiding, the shepherd is shepherding, the Teacher is teaching, the Savior is saving, the King is reigning.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [17:30]

Insights from Pope Benedict XVI's "Jesus of Nazareth"

Fr. Mark-Mary integrates profound insights from Pope Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth to enrich the discussion on the Gospel and the Kingdom.

“When Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God, he is quite simply proclaiming God and proclaiming him to be the living God who is able to act concretely in the world and in history and is even now so acting.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [20:10]

This perspective highlights that the Kingdom of God is an ongoing, dynamic reality initiated by Jesus's ministry. It asserts that God's sovereignty is actively manifesting in history, bringing salvation and transformation to the world.

Application to Prayer and Spiritual Life

Fr. Mark-Mary encourages listeners to internalize these theological concepts through their prayer life, particularly by meditating on the Rosary. He underscores the importance of recognizing God's active presence and sovereignty in everyday life.

“The Lord is here and the Lord is already at work. He's already reigning.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [22:00]

By embracing the Kingdom of God and the Gospel's transformative power, believers can foster a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary, becoming conduits of grace and agents of change in the world.

Conclusion

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames effectively bridges scriptural exegesis with practical prayer guidance, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the third luminous mystery. By drawing on Pope Benedict XVI's theological insights, he provides a rich framework for experiencing the Gospel as an active, saving force and the Kingdom of God as a present reality to be embraced and actualized through the Rosary.

Notable Quotes

• “The word 'gospel' or 'evangelion' in Greek is a word that would be used by Roman emperors… they kind of saw themselves as lords, as saviors, as redeemers of mankind.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [10:15]

• “Jesus is Evangelion… it's a saving message that is both informative but also performative. It doesn't just say something, it makes something happen.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [12:45]

• “The kingdom is more of a verb than a noun. It’s God's actual sovereignty over the world, which in Jesus Christ is becoming an event in history in a new way.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [16:00]

• “When Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God, he is quite simply proclaiming God and proclaiming him to be the living God who is able to act concretely in the world and in history and is even now so acting.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [20:10]

• “The Lord is here and the Lord is already at work. He's already reigning.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, [22:00]

Final Thoughts

Day 36 of "The Rosary in a Year" serves as a profound guide for believers seeking to deepen their prayer life and understanding of core Christian doctrines. Through meticulous theological exploration and practical application, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames invites listeners to experience the transformative power of the Gospel and the active presence of the Kingdom of God in their lives.

For those interested in embarking on this spiritual journey, the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide and the comprehensive prayer plan available at ascensionpress.com/riy provide valuable resources to enhance and track your progress.