Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 73: Seek Him)
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
- Host/Author: Ascension
- Release Date: March 14, 2025
- Description: In Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, guides listeners through a transformative journey of prayer and meditation centered around the Rosary. By progressively building a daily prayer habit, listeners deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary, embracing this powerful Marian devotion as a source of grace for the world.
Episode Overview: Day 73 - Seek Him
In Day 73: Seek Him, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames delves into the fifth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary—the Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Through a profound Lectio Divina session, he explores Luke 2:41-52, offering deep reflections on seeking and experiencing Jesus in our daily lives.
Scripture Reflection: Finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
[00:00] Fr. Mark-Mary Ames opens the episode by introducing the day's focus: the fifth Joyful Mystery, which recounts the episode of Jesus being found in the temple at twelve years old.
"The question I believe the Lord is asking is, how is it that you sought Me now?" [00:02]
He narrates the passage where Mary and Joseph, after the Passover feast, discover that Jesus remains in Jerusalem. Their anxious search culminates in finding Him among the teachers, engaging and astounding those present with His understanding.
Insights and Discussions
Engaging with the Holy Family's Journey
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames emphasizes the family's annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, highlighting their trust in God's plan as they journey together with Jesus. He reflects on the terror and anxiety Mary and Joseph feel when they realize Jesus is missing, underscoring the human aspect of faith—trusting God even in uncertainty.
"Mary shares her heart. 'Why have you treated us so?'... Jesus responds, 'How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'" [12:30]
Jesus’ Dual Nature: Son and Obedient Child
The priest explores Jesus' declaration of His divine mission juxtaposed with His obedience to His earthly parents, portraying the harmonious balance between His divine identity and human upbringing.
"We see Jesus living again, the importance of obedience. But I'm going to focus on here is this question, like, how is it that you sought me?" [20:15]
Application to Personal Faith
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames challenges listeners to introspect on how they seek Jesus in their lives. He asks:
"Are we seeking him in the world, in external things? Or are we seeking him in prayer, in the Word, in sacrament, in community, in silence?" [35:45]
He encourages a deeper, more intentional approach to seeking God, moving beyond superficial searches to a heartfelt and sincere pursuit in spiritual practices.
Notable Quotes
-
Understanding the Search:
"How is it that you sought Me now?" [00:02] -
Jesus on Seeking:
"How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" [12:30] -
Invitation to Deeper Seeking:
"Are we seeking him with surrender? Are we allowing God to seek us, to find us however he desires?" [30:50]
Oratio: Prayer for Seeking Him
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through a structured prayer, reflecting on the themes of receiving, responding, requesting, and rejoicing in God's presence.
Receive:
He emphasizes the good news that Jesus is not only present but also actively seeking a relationship with us.
"Jesus is here. The one we seek is also seeking us. The beauty of the heart of God is that He wants to spend time with us." [40:10]
Respond:
The invitation is to examine how we seek the Lord—questioning whether our search is sincere and wholehearted or distracted by worldly concerns.
"Are we trying to control the narrative? Are we trying to control the Lord?" [45:00]
Request:
A heartfelt plea for the grace to renew our desire to seek God, asking for strength to overcome distractions and deepen our spiritual pursuit.
"Lord, grant me the grace to be renewed in my desire for You... Give us the grace of prayer, Lord. Give us a holy seeking of You, Lord." [50:20]
Rejoice:
Acknowledging and celebrating God's constant presence and His invitation to be part of His divine mission.
"We thank you, Lord, for your heart revealed through Scripture... May we seek You, Lord, with undivided hearts." [55:35]
Conclusion and Contemplation
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames concludes the episode with a contemplative reflection, urging listeners to embrace a renewed commitment to seeking Jesus in silence and prayer. He invites them to let go of distractions and focus on their relationship with the Divine.
"Let us be still with Him. Let us root out from our lives whatever is distracting and keeps us from Him." [1:00:00]
The episode wraps up with a call to pray with the Blessed Mother, reinforcing the connection between seeking Christ and Marian devotion.
Final Thoughts:
Day 73: Seek Him serves as a profound reminder of the importance of intentional and heartfelt prayer. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames skillfully intertwines scripture, personal reflection, and practical application to guide listeners toward a deeper, more sincere relationship with Jesus and Mary. By examining how we seek the Divine, the episode challenges individuals to move beyond superficial practices and embrace a transformative journey of faith.
Additional Resources: For the complete prayer plan and to follow along with the Rosary in a Year journey, visit Ascension Press - Rosary in a Year. You can also text R I Y to 33777 to receive the prayer outline and track your progress.
May this summary inspire you to seek Him with a renewed heart and deepen your spiritual practice through the Rosary.