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

Episode: Day 77: Have No Fear

Date: March 18, 2026 | Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR | Producer: Ascension

Overview: “Have No Fear”

In Day 77 of The Rosary in a Year, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through prayerful meditation on the Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration. The episode aims to deepen personal trust in Jesus’ divinity and tenderness, using the Gospel narrative as a springboard for reflection. Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to examine their fears, receive Christ’s gentle assurance, and allow His words—"Rise and have no fear"—to become a source of strength and peace in their spiritual journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Transfiguration

[01:05 – 04:30]

Fr. Mark-Mary reads Matthew 17:1-13, recounting Jesus’ ascent of the mountain with Peter, James, and John.
Emphasis on Jesus’ face “shone like the sun” and His clothes becoming “white as light”—an experience of the invisible made visible.
Appearance of Moses and Elijah: highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

Notable Quote

"He is the light from which all other lights receive their light […] He is the glorious one. He is the Son of God."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (03:15)

2. A Manifestation of Divinity and the Father's Voice

[04:30 – 06:10]

God the Father’s declaration echoes Jesus’ baptism: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
The voice causes the disciples to fall in awe and fear.
Jesus approaches, touches them gently, and says:
“Rise and have no fear.” (Matt 17:7)

Memorable Moment

"Just notice the Lord seeing them now, like, afraid because of his glory being manifested, just coming so, like tenderly, right? And sweetly and gently, and touching them…"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (06:20)

3. Spiritual Meaning: Strength for the Passion

[06:30 – 07:30]

The Transfiguration is a grace meant to strengthen the disciples for Jesus’ impending passion and crucifixion.
Jesus’ revealed glory is meant to bolster faith against looming trials.

Key Reflection

"A grace is being offered...which is meant to strengthen them as Jesus soon undergoes his passion."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (07:10)

4. Lectio Divina: Personalizing 'Rise and Have No Fear'

[07:40 – 10:10]

Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to meditate on their own fears and doubts.
Jesus’ approach is highlighted as gentle—reassuring rather than rebuking.
Encourages identifying areas in life hardest to entrust to Jesus and to imagine Him speaking the words:
“Rise and have no fear.”

Notable Quote

"He comes not just like shoutingly, not forcefully, but gently, and touching you, touching you calmly, softly…speaking these words, ‘Rise and have no fear.’"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (08:45)

5. Oratio: Four Steps of Prayer

[10:30 – 13:00]

Receive: Recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of all desire, the “good news.”
Respond: Move beyond fear, giving everything back to Jesus and following Him unreservedly.
Request: Ask for the grace to trust and surrender fear, and for Jesus to take it from our hearts.
Rejoice: Gratitude for the grace of the Transfiguration, the deeper invitation to trust completely.

Memorable Moments

"Jesus is powerful. He's almighty God. But Jesus also comes to us and touches us gently and says, 'Rise and have no fear.'"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (10:50)

"Where there's fear in our lives that we are not strong enough to remove, we give you permission to take that from our hearts and from our lives."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (12:35)

6. Contemplation & Praying the Rosary

[13:10 – 16:30]

Concludes with a decade of the rosary, meditating on the mystery discussed
Encourages ongoing silent prayer for deeper grace and trust

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

"He is the light from which all other lights receive their light […] He is the glorious one. He is the Son of God."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (03:15)
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."
— The Father, Gospel Quote (04:45)
"But Jesus came and touched them, saying, 'Rise and have no fear.'"
— Jesus, Gospel Quote (05:55)
"He comes…gently, and touching you calmly, softly…speaking these words: 'Rise and have no fear.'"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (08:45)
"Jesus is the one we've been waiting for. Jesus, the fulfillment of all desire."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (10:40)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

Introduction & Context: 00:00 – 01:05
Scripture Reading (Matt 17:1–13): 01:05 – 04:30
Meditation on the Mystery: 04:30 – 10:30
Oratio (Receive, Respond, Request, Rejoice): 10:30 – 13:00
Contemplation & Decade of the Rosary: 13:10 – 16:30
Final Encouragements: 16:30 – End

Conclusion & Invitation

Fr. Mark-Mary closes by encouraging listeners to carry Jesus’ words—“Rise and have no fear”—into their day and to continue their deepening relationship with Jesus and Mary through trustful, fearless prayer. Listeners are invited to remain in silent prayer as inspired.

Tone:
Reflective, gentle, pastoral, and encouraging throughout. Fr. Mark-Mary’s warmth and clarity make complex theological mysteries like the Transfiguration accessible and deeply personal.

For additional resources and the prayer plan, listeners are directed to Ascension Press’s website. The next episode continues the journey of prayer and spiritual growth with the rosary.

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

Episode: Day 77: Have No Fear

Date: March 18, 2026 | Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR | Producer: Ascension

Overview: “Have No Fear”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Transfiguration

[01:05 – 04:30]

Fr. Mark-Mary reads Matthew 17:1-13, recounting Jesus’ ascent of the mountain with Peter, James, and John.
Emphasis on Jesus’ face “shone like the sun” and His clothes becoming “white as light”—an experience of the invisible made visible.
Appearance of Moses and Elijah: highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

Notable Quote

"He is the light from which all other lights receive their light […] He is the glorious one. He is the Son of God."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (03:15)

2. A Manifestation of Divinity and the Father's Voice

[04:30 – 06:10]

God the Father’s declaration echoes Jesus’ baptism: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
The voice causes the disciples to fall in awe and fear.
Jesus approaches, touches them gently, and says:
“Rise and have no fear.” (Matt 17:7)

Memorable Moment

"Just notice the Lord seeing them now, like, afraid because of his glory being manifested, just coming so, like tenderly, right? And sweetly and gently, and touching them…"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (06:20)

3. Spiritual Meaning: Strength for the Passion

[06:30 – 07:30]

The Transfiguration is a grace meant to strengthen the disciples for Jesus’ impending passion and crucifixion.
Jesus’ revealed glory is meant to bolster faith against looming trials.

Key Reflection

"A grace is being offered...which is meant to strengthen them as Jesus soon undergoes his passion."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (07:10)

4. Lectio Divina: Personalizing 'Rise and Have No Fear'

[07:40 – 10:10]

Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to meditate on their own fears and doubts.
Jesus’ approach is highlighted as gentle—reassuring rather than rebuking.
Encourages identifying areas in life hardest to entrust to Jesus and to imagine Him speaking the words:
“Rise and have no fear.”

Notable Quote

"He comes not just like shoutingly, not forcefully, but gently, and touching you, touching you calmly, softly…speaking these words, ‘Rise and have no fear.’"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (08:45)

5. Oratio: Four Steps of Prayer

[10:30 – 13:00]

Receive: Recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of all desire, the “good news.”
Respond: Move beyond fear, giving everything back to Jesus and following Him unreservedly.
Request: Ask for the grace to trust and surrender fear, and for Jesus to take it from our hearts.
Rejoice: Gratitude for the grace of the Transfiguration, the deeper invitation to trust completely.

Memorable Moments

"Jesus is powerful. He's almighty God. But Jesus also comes to us and touches us gently and says, 'Rise and have no fear.'"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (10:50)

"Where there's fear in our lives that we are not strong enough to remove, we give you permission to take that from our hearts and from our lives."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (12:35)

6. Contemplation & Praying the Rosary

[13:10 – 16:30]

Concludes with a decade of the rosary, meditating on the mystery discussed
Encourages ongoing silent prayer for deeper grace and trust

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

"He is the light from which all other lights receive their light […] He is the glorious one. He is the Son of God."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (03:15)
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."
— The Father, Gospel Quote (04:45)
"But Jesus came and touched them, saying, 'Rise and have no fear.'"
— Jesus, Gospel Quote (05:55)
"He comes…gently, and touching you calmly, softly…speaking these words: 'Rise and have no fear.'"
— Fr. Mark-Mary (08:45)
"Jesus is the one we've been waiting for. Jesus, the fulfillment of all desire."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (10:40)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

Introduction & Context: 00:00 – 01:05
Scripture Reading (Matt 17:1–13): 01:05 – 04:30
Meditation on the Mystery: 04:30 – 10:30
Oratio (Receive, Respond, Request, Rejoice): 10:30 – 13:00
Contemplation & Decade of the Rosary: 13:10 – 16:30
Final Encouragements: 16:30 – End

Conclusion & Invitation

Tone:
Reflective, gentle, pastoral, and encouraging throughout. Fr. Mark-Mary’s warmth and clarity make complex theological mysteries like the Transfiguration accessible and deeply personal.

For additional resources and the prayer plan, listeners are directed to Ascension Press’s website. The next episode continues the journey of prayer and spiritual growth with the rosary.