Episode Summary – Day 54: My Beloved Son

Podcast: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Host: Ascension
Date: February 23, 2026
Episode Theme: Exploring the First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames leads listeners in reflection on the First Luminous Mystery—The Baptism of Jesus. He emphasizes the deep spiritual meaning of baptism, connecting the scriptural account of Jesus’ baptism to our daily battles and Christian identity. The episode invites listeners to revisit the graces of their own baptism, finding strength and affirmation in the Father’s voice, just as Jesus did before his time in the wilderness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Luminous Mysteries

• Context: Introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002 as new mysteries to be prayed in the Rosary, focusing on pivotal moments in Jesus’s public life.
  • “The first is that they are all significant moments during the public life of Jesus...Secondly, as John Paul II says, each of these mysteries is a revelation of the kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus.” (02:00)

2. The Baptism of Jesus—Scripture Reading

• Matthew 3:13-17: Recap of Jesus coming to John for baptism, the heavens opening, and the Father’s voice affirming Jesus as “my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (02:24)

3. The Baptism’s Pedagogical Importance

• Sequence Matters:
  • The baptism is immediately followed by Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1).
  • “The waters of the Jordan in our lives must always proceed the sands of the desert...It is at our own personal waters of the Jordan that we are equipped, that we are strengthened, that we are prepared and given what we need to go into the desert to do battle with Satan and all of his lies and to exit victorious.” (04:25)

4. Identity & Spiritual Battle

• Ongoing Temptations:
  • Fr. Mark-Mary connects daily struggles to temptations in the wilderness: “Every day we’re going out into the world and things are happening that are attacking our identity, that are attacking this ultimate foundational question: is God good? Is he trustworthy? Does he see you? Does he care about you?” (05:23)
• Baptismal Grace:
  • The grace of baptism roots us in our true identity and God’s character: “It’s at our baptism that we experience the Father speak this truth to us: you are my beloved son, you are my beloved daughter.” (06:00)
  • “The Father is good. The Father is faithful. The Father is trustworthy. The Father sees you. He knows you. He is fighting for you. He has a good plan for your life.” (06:15)
  • Jesus' victory in the wilderness stems from being “perfectly rooted in his own identity and in the Father’s goodness.” (06:54)

5. Practical Suggestions for Daily Life

• Returning to “the Jordan”:
  • Make time for daily prayer to let God affirm your identity.
  • “It's getting back to this foundational…moment of prayer where we look at the Father, we allow him to look at us and to speak this truth again to our lives: you are beloved, you are chosen, you are seen, you are known, you are mine.” (07:24)
  • Suggestions include contemplating the crucifix, reading Gospel passages, or meditating on the specific baptismal scripture, asking the Father to speak these words again.
  • Suggests printing out the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith from the baptismal rite for regular reaffirmation. (08:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the sequence of Jesus’ baptism and temptation:

  • “The waters of the Jordan in our lives must always precede the sands of the desert. It is at our personal waters of the Jordan that we are equipped…to do battle with Satan and all of his lies.” — Fr. Mark-Mary (04:25)

• On our daily spiritual struggle:

  • “Every day we're going out into the world and things are happening that are attacking our identity…is God good? Is he trustworthy? Does he see you? Does he care about you?” — Fr. Mark-Mary (05:23)

• On the core grace of baptism:

  • “It’s at our own baptism that we experience the Father speak this truth to us: you are my beloved son, you are my beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.” — Fr. Mark-Mary (06:00)

• On practical tools for daily affirmation:

  • “It could be coming to Matthew, chapter 3, verse 13, and just sitting with that for a moment…and through imagination and prayer, really asking the Father to speak these words over you again.” — Fr. Mark-Mary (07:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:00] Luminous Mysteries—Introduction & Context
• [02:24] Scripture Reading — The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17)
• [04:25] Reflection on the Sequence: Baptism First, then Wilderness
• [05:23] Our Daily Battle with Identity and Trust
• [06:15] Reminder of God’s Faithfulness and Fatherhood
• [07:24] Embracing Daily Prayer to Revisit Baptismal Grace
• [08:20] Practical Suggestion — Use of the Baptismal Profession of Faith

Baptismal Renunciation & Profession of Faith (08:40)

A powerful closing liturgical moment where Fr. Mark-Mary walks listeners through the:

• Renunciation of Satan and evil
• Affirmation of faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

“Do you renounce Satan? I do. And all his works? I do. And all his empty show? I do. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty...I do.” (08:40)

Conclusion

Fr. Mark-Mary closes with prayer and encouragement, reminding listeners to return daily to the place of baptismal affirmation—hearing the Father’s voice and carrying that into the spiritual battles of each day:

“This needs to be our shield and our sword as we go and do battle each and every day in the wilderness of this world, this valley of tears.” (07:56)

Final Thought (Tone & Invitation)

Gentle, pastoral, and encouraging, Fr. Mark-Mary consistently invites listeners to take small daily steps (“poco a poco”) toward deeper prayer, stronger identity, and greater trust in God’s love.