Episode Summary: Day 41 – The Victorious King

Podcast: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Date: February 10, 2026
Main Theme: Meditating on the Third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning of Thorns, and the paradox of Christ’s kingship revealed through his suffering and humiliation.

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary guides listeners through the Third Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, focusing on the Crowning of Thorns and its profound spiritual lessons. He reflects on the biblical account of Christ’s humiliation, the hidden victory within his suffering, and the enduring dignity and kingship of Jesus. Drawing on Scripture, the writings of Pope Benedict XVI, and the prophet Isaiah, Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to “behold the man”—to recognize and worship the true King even amidst suffering and mockery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context of the Third Sorrowful Mystery (00:50–02:30)

• Fr. Mark-Mary reads Matthew 27:27-31 detailing Jesus being stripped, mocked, crowned with thorns, given a reed as a scepter, and humiliated by Roman soldiers.
• Emphasizes the extraordinary cruelty and mockery Jesus endured, adding a unique dimension of suffering to the Passion.

“Jesus being crowned with thorns and mocked was a unique evil… a Roman mockery of Christ the King. And yes, it is particularly heinous and particularly vile and particularly ugly.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary (01:55)

2. The Mockery of Kingship and Its Irony (02:30–03:30)

• Roman soldiers treat Jesus as a “fake king,” dressing him in a scarlet robe (sign of authority), crown (mock royalty), and a reed (imitation scepter).
• Points out the irony: “the one whom they mock, calling him a king, is in fact the king. And he’s a king already here and now conquering.”
• Notes the presence of “demonic forces at play” inspiring the mockery.

3. Reflection with Pope Benedict XVI (03:30–04:30)

• Cites Pope Benedict XVI on the meaning of Jesus, the suffering servant:
  • Jesus reflects humanity’s sin—what happens “when man turns his back upon God and takes control over the world into his own hands.”
  • Jesus’ “innermost dignity cannot be taken from him. The hidden God remains present with him.”
• Ties to Isaiah 50 prophecy: the suffering servant who endures shame and spitting without hiding his face.

4. The Paradox of Christ’s Victory (04:30–06:00)

• Jesus remains strong and meek—his victory is not in spite of his humiliation, but revealed through it.
• Christ is rooted in his identity as Son and “victorious one, who even now is conquering.”
• God’s sovereignty over worldly power is reaffirmed: even as Roman authorities mock and condemn Jesus, the Father’s providence prevails.

“Here we see the Roman authorities condemning, scourging, crowning, mocking, and unknowingly in all of this, the Father is still the Lord and bringing about his victory in Christ. The condemned one… is indeed the victorious one.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary (05:30)

5. Echoes from the Nativity and the Power of God’s Plan (06:00–07:00)

• Draws a parallel to the Nativity, where Roman authorities acted but “God is manifesting that he is the king of human affairs.”
• Even in Christ’s Passion, God’s plan is victorious through apparent defeat and suffering.

6. Meditation: “Behold the Man” (07:00–07:45)

• Reflects on John’s Gospel: Pilate presents Jesus with “Ecce Homo”—Behold the man.
• Encourages listeners to “behold our king, and let us worship him.”

“Let us behold the man. Let’s behold our king, and let us worship him.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary (07:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the mockery and the real kingship:
  “The great irony here… is that the one whom they mock, calling him a king, is in fact the king. And he’s a king already here and now conquering.” (03:06)
• On dignity in suffering (Pope Benedict XVI):
  “But Jesus’ innermost dignity cannot be taken from him. The hidden God remains present with him… Here in Jesus Christ… the King of the whole world, we see the truly meek one, the truly victorious one.” (04:14)
• On God’s providence:
  “Ultimately God is manifesting that he is king of human affairs. Here we see the Roman authorities… and unknowingly in all of this, the Father is still the Lord, and bringing about his victory in Christ.” (05:22)
• Invitation to adoration:
  “Let us behold the man. Let’s behold our king, and let us worship him.” (07:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50–02:30 — Scriptural Reading: Matthew 27:27–31, the Crowning with Thorns
• 02:30–03:30 — Mockery of Jesus and its unique evil
• 03:30–04:30 — Reflection with Pope Benedict XVI and Isaiah on the suffering servant
• 04:30–06:00 — Christ’s meekness, dignity, and paradoxical victory
• 06:00–07:00 — God’s sovereignty in both Nativity and Passion
• 07:00–07:45 — Meditation: “Behold the man,” call to worship

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, Fr. Mark-Mary’s tone is reverent, reflective, and pastoral. He invites listeners into a deeper meditation by seamlessly intertwining Scripture, tradition, personal insight, and prayer.

Conclusion

Day 41’s reflection on the Crowning of Thorns invites listeners to see Christ’s true kingship beneath suffering and humiliation. It is a call to deeper faith, reverence, and trust in God’s victorious love—no matter how things may appear. The episode emphasizes that authentic victory often comes through meekness, vulnerability, and steadfastness in identity as God’s beloved.

Listeners are encouraged to carry this meditation into their own prayer life and to continue the journey of the Rosary with renewed devotion.

For the complete prayer plan: https://ascensionpress.com/riy