Episode Transcript  

One

The Ascension 

Right before his Ascension into heaven, Jesus told the Apostles, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth…So stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.”

As He said this, He was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took Him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two Angels were standing near them and they said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky?”

The Apostles had no idea what to do next. They were in a confused and paralyzed state. They were fearful, they had not taken up their spiritual responsibility, and they weren’t helping anyone to Jesus. So, they went back to the upper room where they were staying (Acts 1:13) and they gathered around Mary in prayer for the next nine days (Acts 1:14). 

That was a good move!

Two

Pentecost 

“When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. 'Surely' they said 'all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language?”

Peter then stood up and proclaimed with boldness that Jesus has risen from the dead, and from the right hand of God, He has poured forth the Holy Spirit into our hearts. And this gift of eternal life is not just for them but for all who want it. 

That very day, about three thousand received baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Three

Spiritual Responsibility 

Before Pentecost, the Apostles were confused, hiding behind locked doors, afraid of suffering, and unsure of their mission. But when the Holy Spirit descended, everything changed. The same men who fled at Jesus’ arrest now stand in the Temple proclaiming boldly that Jesus is God, and three thousand people were converted and baptized. They took up their spiritual responsibility, and look what happens: 

Peter heals a crippled man and preaches to the crowds, “You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.” And two thousand more people convert. Arrested and threatened, he declares, “We must obey God rather than men.” Beaten, they rejoice. Scattered, they preach. Stephen forgives his murderers. Philip evangelizes strangers. Peter enters a Gentile home and watches the Spirit fall. Saul becomes Paul and risks his life to proclaim the Christ he once tried to destroy. Every chapter of Acts reveals this truth: the Holy Spirit gives ordinary people extraordinary boldness to speak, suffer, and act for Christ. 

In every chapter of Acts, there is a common refrain: “The Lord’s hand was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord!”

That same Spirit lives in us. If we feel afraid, unsure, or unworthy to take up our spiritual responsibility, then let us ask the Spirit and Mary to set us on fire with holy boldness. Come, Holy Spirit, come through Mary, and make us bold.

Four

Taking up Your Spiritual Responsibility 

The holy women in the Gospel were amazing. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, stood courageously at the Cross along with Mary Magdalen, Mary of Clopas, Salome, and many other women. It never seems to fail that women take spiritual responsibility, even when the men don’t. It’s the same today. 

This is not surprising, women seem to have a God given gift to intuit and prompt men to take responsibility. We even see this with Jesus and Mary. Jesus had no intention of kicking off his public ministry. But at Cana, Mary said, “It’s time. They have no wine.” Jesus balked, saying, “Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.” And at her intuition and prompting, Jesus works his first miracles, the Apostles believe, and the ministry is launched. 

On Easter Sunday, the Apostles are in hiding, but the holy women went to the tomb, saw the Risen Christ, and then proclaimed the Resurrection to the Apostles.

As always, we need two things to happen. First, all you holy women out there need to prompt your men to take up their spiritual responsibility. Don’t nag, just say to the men, “You have what it takes. I need you to be the spiritual leader. I need you to pray the Rosary with me and our kids or our friends.” Second, for all the men praying with us, Our Lady is very pleased. Now our queen has a mission for you to other men. 

Five

Ground Campaign 

We are in a spiritual battle for souls. Every good strategy for war includes air power and boots on the ground. This Rosary podcast is the air support, but without ground troops taking and holding territory, we cannot win this war. Guys, Our Lady needs you to be the ground troops!

Here is what she wants you to do: Set aside time each day for personal meditation. End with one clear resolution. This is your anchor. If you only pray alone, how will your wife, kids, and friends grow? Your spiritual life isn’t just for you, it’s meant to be shared.

Go ahead and pray alone, but don’t stop there. Pray also with them. Invite your wife, family, or a friend to pray the Rosary podcast with you. Your relationship with your wife, kids, and friends will be infinitely better if you pray the rosary with them and have some good conversation after because friendship is built by good activity followed by good conversation. Be a missionary. Invite one other man to do the same with his family and friends. Then follow up with him. Help each other stay the course.

Can you do these things? Can you do it for your family? For your friends? Can you do it for Our Lady? And if your kids have fallen away from the faith, it’s not too late. Don’t give up. We’ll walk with you through a 30-day plan: one small step each day to begin again and bring them back to Christ. Stay with us. We’ll do it together.

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• Invite someone to pray with you once a week, even if it’s just one person. Find a consistent time to pray together and create a habit.

• If you don’t yet have anyone to pray with, dedicate your prayer for the conversion of your loved ones this week and ask God to give you someone to pray with.

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