S2, E12 - The Assumption Decade Meditation

The mission of the Ponder and Magnify Podcast is to seek an encounter with Jesus through praying the rosary, relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. In this episode, listeners are invited to pray with their imaginations through a decade meditation on the Assumption using Scripture from John 14: 1-3. Praise be to God!

Transcript

Jessica: 0:05

Hello and welcome to the Ponder and Magnify podcast, where our mission is to seek an encounter with Jesus through praying the Rosary, relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. I am so happy that you are here. In this episode, we will meditate on the Assumption of Mary, body and Soul, into Heaven as we pray a decade of the Rosary. Before we start, let's pause and reflect on what we're bringing to prayer. What are your joys in this moment? What is bringing your heart grief right now? Do you have any fears in this moment? What are you desiring? Whom do you wish to pray for? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen, Jesus, we ask you to speak directly into our circumstances. Mary, thank you for praying with us and for us now. Holy Spirit, please anoint the gift of our imagination so that we might come to encounter Jesus more deeply through it. The fourth glorious mystery is the Assumption, a reading from the Gospel of John Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God. Have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself so that where I am, you also may be Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, amen. Mary felt herself rising upward and upward. She did not understand what was going on, but she was not afraid, for she trusted completely that God would take care of her. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen. When Mary opened her eyes, she was face to face with Jesus, who smiled at her. Mary gasped and rubbed her eyes in an effort to sort out if this moment was reality or just a vision. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Seeing that Jesus was still before her, Mary was overcome with an upwelling of emotion. Tears streamed down her face. Mary reached out to touch the face of Jesus, but hesitated, waiting for his approval. Jesus nodded his head. Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Jessica: 3:49

Mary held the face of Jesus in both of her hands and studied Jesus's face slowly. The tears continued to stream down her face and she couldn't suppress her smile. Remembering how Mary used to do this same gesture when he was a boy, Jesus was moved to tears himself. Mary gently wiped the tears from his cheeks. Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Feeling a deep sense of peace and joy that far surpassed what she had ever experienced in her earthly life, Mary understood where she was. Long had Mary anticipated this moment. The tears on her cheeks glistened in the light of heaven, and then Jesus spoke to her Welcome home, mom. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Mary threw her arms around Jesus, holding him as tight as she possibly could. She could not stop her tears or her smile. She was radiant with joy. As she held Jesus, He held her back. Mary's soul was at rest. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. And Mary sensed the closeness of the Father in a way she hadn't before. It was as if the Father was holding both her and Jesus as they held each other and the Holy Spirit swirled round and round, enveloping them all. There she was encapsulated by the Holy Trinity. The faith, hope and love that had carried her through her earthly life had come to fulfillment in this moment. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Jessica: 6:29

Mary was in need of absolutely nothing. She was completely satisfied, and this would have been enough, but God wanted to give her more. Mary heard welcome home Mary, in that ever steady, assuring voice that had helped carry her through so many earthly trials. It was the voice of Joseph. Mary's heart throbbed and overflowed. How great is the love of God. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. God continued to give. Again,

Jessica: 7:20

Mary heard Welcome home Mary. This time it was in voices she recognized immediately, despite not having heard them for some time. She recognized the voices of her parents, anne and Joachim. Mary's heart throbbed and overflowed further. How great is the love of God. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Jessica: 7:58

God's generosity could not be contained.

Jessica: 8:02

Mary heard a chorus of welcome home Mary from so many that had gone before her, those she both knew and didn't know while on earth.

Jessica: 8:13

She was welcomed home by the entire communion of saints and understood deep within her that they had all been praying for her.

Jessica: 8:23

The angels began to sing the most beautiful song of praise of God

Jessica: 8:27

that perfectly matched the sentiment of Mary's heart.

Jessica: 8:32

Being held by the Trinity and surrounded by the saints and angels gave Mary a joy that felt almost too much for her body, as if her body could not contain it.

Jessica: 8:44

She looked at her hands and saw that they were radiating light. Consumed with perfect and complete peace and joy,

Jessica: 8:54

Mary was glorified, body and soul, the love of God radiating forth from her. How great is the love of God. How great is the love of God. Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen, glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen, o my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen Hail Holy Queen, mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor, banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious, advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and, after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, o Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen, thank you, holy Spirit. Please, please, count on our continued prayers for you and please, please, we ask you to pray for us as well. Praise be to God.