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

Episode: Day 82: Simon’s Choice
Date: March 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In Day 82 of "The Rosary in a Year," Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through a meditation on the Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: the Carrying of the Cross. The central focus is on Simon of Cyrene, who is compelled to carry Jesus' cross, and the spiritual significance of being "compelled but free." Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to consider how they, too, might encounter Jesus amidst the crosses they are given in life and reflects deeply on the tension between forced suffering and the freedom to surrender with trust and hope.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Simon’s Role (01:00)

• Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:32: "As they were marching out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. This man they compelled to carry his cross."
• Context: Simon is likely a Jewish pilgrim in Jerusalem for Passover, unexpectedly forced to help Jesus.
• Jesus could not carry the cross the whole way due to the brutal scourging he endured (02:00).

2. Jesus: Compelled Yet Free (02:00 – 03:30)

• Jesus undergoes immense suffering—arrest, scourging, crowning with thorns, carrying the cross.
• Key Insight: Even though these things are "done to" Jesus, he retains interior freedom—he chooses to lay down his life, not as a passive victim but as one who offers himself willingly.
  • Quote (03:03):
    “No one takes my life from me. I lay it down freely. No one places this cross upon me; I take this cross freely.”
    — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames

3. The Mystery of Simon’s Choice (03:30 – 06:00)

• The Gospel does not record Simon’s thoughts or feelings, but Fr. Mark-Mary explores the possibilities:
  • Simon could carry the cross with resistance, or
  • By choosing to surrender—to accept what is happening—Simon may have had a profound encounter with Jesus.
• Being compelled does not mean we lose our freedom; there’s always the space for inner surrender.
  • Quote (05:10):
    “He’s compelled, it’s forced upon him, but he still has a free choice in it—a free choice to surrender it to God and to trust that even in the midst of this injustice, this evil thing happening, God can work and he can meet Jesus the Savior.”

4. Applying the Mystery to Our Lives (06:00 – 07:20)

• Listeners are invited to meditate personally:
  • When crosses are compelled upon us—by suffering, injustice or difficulty—how do we respond?
  • We can choose to accept and carry these crosses in Christlike freedom and surrender, opening the door to encounter God.

5. The Prayerful Method: Lectio & Oratio (07:20 – 12:00)

A. Lectio—Reflecting on the Scripture

• Re-reading the verse and meditating on our own potential responses as "chosen" to carry a cross (07:35).

B. Oratio—Praying in Four Movements

• Receive: Recognize the good news—Jesus’ persevering love, the wisdom and power of God in suffering.
  • Quote (08:18):
    “We’re introduced to the wisdom of the cross, and God the Father’s ability to work for good in all things, even this great tragedy…”
• Respond: Begin with praise and thanksgiving for Jesus’ obedience and love, then bring personal struggles to prayer:
  • Invite Jesus to teach us how to remain free, to balance prudence, surrender, and action.
  • Pray for those enduring compelled suffering—for encouragement and strength.
• Request: Ask for the grace of surrender, for strength in adversity, and for all suffering people to encounter Jesus in their burdens (10:14).
• Rejoice: Thank God for the opportunity to learn from Christ, to draw near in suffering, and for his continual grace.

6. The Decade of the Rosary (12:00 – 15:30)

• The episode concludes with the praying of a decade of the Rosary (the traditional prayers with meditative intention for the grace to remain free and surrendered, even when the cross is compelled upon us).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “No one takes my life from me. I lay it down freely. No one places this cross upon me; I take this cross freely.”
  – Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, (03:03)
• “God can work and he can meet Jesus the Savior… Still has a free choice—to surrender it to God and to trust that even in the midst of this injustice, this evil thing happening, God can work…”
  – Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, (05:10)
• “Lord, may these be opportunities for us to come in close contact with you, to learn from you, to be seen by you, even to be carried by you.”
  – Prayer, (09:35)
• “Teach us to trust in the Father’s goodness in all things.”
  – Prayer, (10:50)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:20: Opening, context, scripture introduction (Matthew 27:32)
• 01:20 – 03:30: Jesus’ suffering and his inner freedom
• 03:30 – 06:00: Simon’s possible response and opportunity for encounter
• 06:00 – 07:20: Personal reflection for listeners
• 07:20 – 12:00: Lectio divina: receive, respond, request, rejoice
• 12:00 – 15:30: Praying the decade of the Rosary for surrender and Christlike freedom

Tone & Language

Fr. Mark-Mary speaks gently and reflectively, blending scriptural insight with practical spiritual encouragement. His approach is both pastoral and prayerful, inviting listeners into personal application and deeper trust in God.

Summary

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary tenderly explores the theme of being “compelled but free” through Simon of Cyrene’s unique participation in the Passion. Listeners are drawn to reflect: when faced with suffering thrust upon us, can we, like Jesus and perhaps Simon, choose a deeper surrender and freedom? The practice of Lectio Divina and the praying of the Rosary provide concrete ways to open our hearts to encounter Jesus, find meaning in our crosses, and grow in trust—ultimately discovering that even in forced suffering, we can freely respond in love, hope, and faith.