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

Episode: Day 56: Good News (2026)
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Podcast: Ascension’s Rosary in a Year

Overview:

In Day 56 of “The Rosary in a Year,” Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners into a meditation on the Third Luminous Mystery: the Proclamation of the Kingdom and the Call to Conversion. This episode centers on how Jesus, through word and deed, reveals himself as the present reality of the Kingdom of God and invites us to authentic conversion. Fr. Mark-Mary draws on scripture and the teachings of Pope St. John Paul II, encouraging listeners to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of their hopes and to invite genuine repentance into their lives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights:

1. Foundation of the Third Luminous Mystery

• Scripture Basis: Mark 1:14-15, where Jesus proclaims, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”
  [01:03]
• First Foundational Truth: The mystery is a “revelation of the kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus,” echoing Pope St. John Paul II.
  • Quote:

    “The kingdom of God that is being proclaimed is Jesus. So when Jesus is saying the kingdom of God is at hand, he’s talking about himself.” (Fr. Mark-Mary, 01:53)

• Second Foundational Truth: The proclamation is by word and deed—Jesus doesn’t just announce, he acts, making something new happen.

2. The Kingdom Manifested Through Actions

• All that Jesus says and does in his public ministry can be seen as the proclamation of the kingdom.
  [02:38]
• Examples from Gospel of Mark:
  • Calling Disciples: First thing after proclamation is calling Simon, Andrew, James, John—“Come to me.” [03:03]
  • Exercising Authority: Casting out demons.
  • Showing Compassion: Healing Simon’s mother-in-law, a leper, and a paralytic.
  • Calling Sinners: Calling Levi, offering new life and hope.
  • Self-Revelation: Refers to himself as the bridegroom and “Lord of the Sabbath.” [03:50]
• Quote:

  “All of this is the proclamation of the kingdom of God. All of this is Jesus manifesting who he is by word and by deed.” (Fr. Mark-Mary, 03:52)

3. Who is Jesus in the Kingdom?

• Jesus repeatedly declares by action and word: “I am the one you are looking for. I am the bridegroom. I am the authority. I am the king. I have authority over sickness. I have authority over sin. I’ve come to call sinners back to repentance.”
  [04:02–04:12]

4. The Good News—A Personal Invitation

• Jesus comes to reveal the fullness of truth—about God, about ourselves, about right worship, and our call to share divine life.
• The intimate and tender love of Jesus for the marginalized is highlighted.
  • Quote:

    “See how tenderly he looks on the lowly, on the outcast and the sinner. Like this is the good news. That which we are looking for, we have found, and we have found it in Jesus.” (Fr. Mark-Mary, 05:05–05:07)

• The episode is permeated by the urging to believe and trust in this Good News.

5. Examination and Call to Repentance

• Reflection Prompt: Listeners are encouraged to examine where, in their lives, they have given authority or placed hope in things other than Jesus.
  • Quote:

    “Where are the places in which I am giving authority to that which is not Jesus, that I’m placing my hopes in something other than Jesus?” (Fr. Mark-Mary, 05:25)

  • The call is to turn away from lesser things and come back to Christ.
• Summary Statement:

  “The kingdom of God is at hand. That which your heart is seeking for and longing for is at hand. He is here. He is the Lord. He is Jesus.” (Fr. Mark-Mary, 05:35)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments:

• On the Luminous Mysteries:

  “He reminds us each of these mysteries is a revelation of the kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus.”
  (Fr. Mark-Mary, 01:49)

• On Jesus’ Identity:

  “I am the one that you are looking for. I am the bridegroom. I am the authority. I am the king.”
  (Fr. Mark-Mary, 04:02)

• On Repentance and Trust:

  “Let us believe in this good news, my brothers and sisters, and let us again, let us repent.”
  (Fr. Mark-Mary, 05:13)

Prayer and Meditative Practice

[05:39–07:28]

• Fr. Mark-Mary leads listeners in the “Our Father,” three “Hail Marys,” and a “Glory Be”—anchoring the meditation in prayerful practice.

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction and Context: [00:04–01:03]
• Scripture Reading (Mark 1:14-15): [01:03–01:12]
• Explanation of Foundational Truths: [01:12–01:53]
• Breakdown of Jesus’ Actions in Mark’s Gospel: [03:02–03:50]
• Summary of the Good News: [04:49–05:14]
• Examination for Listeners: [05:20–05:39]
• Rosary Prayers: [05:39–07:28]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a warm, inviting, and deeply pastoral tone. Fr. Mark-Mary’s reflections are personal, scripturally rich, and filled with gentle urgings toward deeper faith, trust, and conversion. He constantly returns to the language of invitation and comfort, emphasizing Jesus’ love and authority.

Final Summary

Day 56 invites listeners to recognize Jesus as the “Good News” and the living reality of God’s kingdom, made present here and now. Through scriptural reflection and prayer, Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to examine where we place our trust and to respond with repentance, confident in the tender love and authority of Christ. If you’re seeking to deepen your prayer life and relationship with Jesus through the Rosary, this episode serves as both inspiration and practical guide.