Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show: Recent Episodes
Mary Estrada and Dr. Erik Estrada
This show discusses the history of Catholic spirituality. Each week we discuss a major theme or text in the Catholic heritage which illustrate an important dimension of the Christian life. Rooted in the Catholic heritage, we strive to provide Catholics and everyone interested an account of the ways Catholics down through the ages have made the Christian spiritual tradition their own. Come join us as we explore the rich treasures of the Catholic spiritual heritage!
What is prayer? In this episode we discuss what prayer is and how it fits into the spiritual life, again using the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Catechism argues, using Augustine’s writings, that prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours.
Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statements about prayer and its role in the life of the Catholic Christian.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show
Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What is prayer? In this episode we discuss what prayer is and how it fits into the spiritual life, again using the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Catechism argues that prayer is the human being’s innermost communication with God. Using the writings of Therese of Lisieux, the Catechism describes prayer as “a simple look turned toward heaven.”
Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statement about prayer and its role in the life of the Catholic Christian.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode122/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Is prayer necessary? In this episode we discuss how and why prayer fits into the spiritual life.
The Catechism argues that Holy Spirit leads the Christian into spiritual freedom. Absent the Spirit’s lead, however, the Christian easily falls back into the slavery of sin.
Within the Christian life, therefore, prayer is of utmost necessity. Prayer becomes the line of communication with the Trinity. To cease to pray is to sever that line of communication.
To avoid this scenario, the Catechism encourages the Catholic to continue in their commitment to pray.
Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statements about prayer and its necessity in the life of the Catholic Christian.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode121/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statement about Jesus’ role in interceding on behalf of his people.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode120/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Many people often ask today: Does prayer work? In today’s episode, we continue our discussion on the topic of prayer asking this important question: “Does prayer work?” And, if so, how does it work?
Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide, which relies on the modern work of Catholic New Testament scholarship, we continue our discussion of prayer by discussing the historical foundations of prayer, namely, the history of early Christianity. We note that in the modern era, the historicity of Jesus’ person and work have come under fierce scrutiny with some critics alleging that the Gospels are mostly fabricated accounts with little of any connection to the historical Jesus.
Pope Benedict XVI was acutely aware of these challenges and sought to address them in his three volumes on the life of Christ.
Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statement about prayer.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode119/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How Does One Enter Contemplative Prayer? - CHSS 118
In today’s episode, we continue our discussion the topic of contemplative prayer.
Contemplative prayer often brings up ideas of Cistercian monks and other religious deeply engaged in prayer. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church suggests that a deep life of prayer is far more accessible to the Christian than one would imagine.
In this episode we talk about the basic question: How does one enter contemplative prayer?
Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide, which relies on the work of St. Theresa of Avila, we continue our discussion of contemplative prayer by discussing the practical demands of entering contemplative prayer. We note that as Catholic Christians we need to make time to create the space for entering contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer is simultaneously a gift and a determined choice.
The Catholic Christian holds these tensions together and continues to seek God in contemplative prayer.
Join us today in our discussion as we continue the conversation on contemplative prayer.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode118/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today’s episode, we discuss the topic of contemplative prayer.
Contemplative prayer often brings up ideas of Cistercian monks and other religious deeply engaged in prayer. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church suggests that a deep life of prayer is far more accessible to the Christian than one would imagine.
In this episode we talk about the basic question: What is contemplative prayer?
Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide, which relies on the work of St. Theresa of Avila, we discuss the nature of contemplative prayer. St. Theresa defined contemplative prayer as: “Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.”
Join us today in our discussion about contemplative prayer.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode117/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today’s episode, we discuss the idea that prayer is a mystery.
As Catholic Christians, we rarely hear the idea that prayer is a mystery. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer using this very notion of prayer as a mystery.
In using this type of language, the Catechism encourages us to understand that prayer requires is not something entirely in our control but rather requires God’s initiative and assistance to the human soul.
Prayer is not something that can be done solely by human agency but requires God’s leading and continuous support.
Join us today in our discussion about prayer as a divine mystery.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode116/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today’s episode, we discuss the idea that prayer is a battle.
As Catholic Christians, we rarely hear the idea that prayer is a battle. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer using this very metaphor of prayer as a battle. In using this type of language, the Catechism encourages us to understand that prayer requires genuine effort on our part.
Prayer is not something that can be done halfheartedly but requires continuous and intentional effort.
Join us today in our discussion about prayer.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode115/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today’s episode, we discuss various erroneous notions of prayer.
As Catholic Christians, we can oftentimes hear various ideas about prayer that seem to have very little to do with our experience of prayer. From inducing a mental void to regarding prayer as an unimportant task, Catholics are often faced with notions of prayers that conflict with the Church’s understanding of this very activity.
Join us today in our discussion about erroneous notions of prayer.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode114/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today’s episode, we discuss the nature of prayer as a school for spiritual growth.
As Catholic Christians, we can oftentimes think about prayer mostly in its petitionary dimensions. That is to say, we often approach prayer as an opportunity to make known to God our needs, concerns and hopes.
In this episode, however, we encourage our listeners to go beyond this dimension of prayer. We invite our listeners to think about prayer and its ability to become a school for growth in holiness and a school for a deeper commitment to God and neighbor.
Prayer affords us the opportunity to reflect upon our complete need for God. This opportunity presents itself most especially when our prayers go unanswered.
It is especially in these moments that we are presented with the opportunity to think about what God is trying to teach us. We can use the opportunities of unanswered prayer to ask ourselves such questions such as: What does God want me to learn in this period of life? How can I help others who are facing similar obstacles?
In sum, prayer affords us an enormous opportunity for personal spiritual growth. Join us today in our discussion about prayer and the spiritual life.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode113/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
US Catholic Exceptionalism - CHSS 112
In today’s episode, we look at the question of US Catholic exceptionalism, which is the idea that the concerns, perspectives and priorities of the US Catholic Church are or should be the most important concerns, perspectives and priorities for global Catholicism.
In this episode, we discuss the varieties of concerns facing Catholic communities across the globe. In light of the catholicity of our church, we encourage Catholic Christians to gain perspective on our experiences as US Catholics by thinking more about the challenges facing Catholics across the globe.
This more universal outlook will help US Catholics gain perspective on the variety of their experiences here in the US Catholic Church.
Join our discussion on evaluating our experience as US Catholics in light of the experiences of Catholics in other parts of the world.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode112/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Acedia and its Remedies - CHSS 111
In today’s episode, we continue our new series on the common temptations against prayer by looking at the phenomenon of acedia. As our point of departure, we use the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s treatment of this distinct challenge.
Acedia is defined as a form of spiritual melancholy. This spiritual struggle, the Catechism argues, can emerge as a result of presumption, that is, the idea that God must act according to one’s preconceived ideas of how God should act, usually in a way favorable to one’s desires.
The Catechism maintains that Catholic Christians can overcome this temptation to prayer through the virtue of humility. This virtue aims to give the Christian an accurate sense of who they are as God sees them, thus guiding them away from presumption.
Humility does not mean inaction, passivity or indifference. Instead, humility invites the Christian to spiritual vigilance, temperance and asceticism. Humility teaches the Christian to never assume a positive spiritual outcome without any personal effort or, ultimately, reliance on God.
Join our discussion on we can overcome the temptation to spiritual melancholy through the virtue of humility.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode111/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today's episode, we begin a new series discussing some of the common temptations against prayer. As our point of departure, we use the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s treatment of this challenge.
The first reason we discuss is the problem of the lack of faith. After defining the Catholic understanding of this term, we ask why people struggle to have faith in our age and, more importantly, how to overcome such struggles.
We talk about the fact that the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity are interconnected. An abundant spiritual life depends on all of these virtues functioning well together.
Join us how we can overcome temptations in prayer through an increase of faith, hope and charity.
Join us as discuss how we can overcome temptations in prayer through an increase of faith, hope and charity.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode110/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In today's episode, we discuss the value of prudence for today’s world. Prudence has become a very important virtue in the context of the current global pandemic. Due to the quick spread of SARS-CoV-2, most people across the global have been met with the encouragement to social distance and to operate with much more caution. Health officials have voiced such warnings to the public with the goal of slowing the spread of the virus. Covid-19 poses many challenges to everyone from the need for socialization to the threat of hospitalization and even death. In the face of these challenges, one could ask: How does the virtue of prudence function in this new context? What does it mean to even be prudent in the first place?
In this episode, we discuss these and related questions. Join us as we discuss the role of prudence in modern society.
In today's episode, we discuss the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which is celebrated on August 15th. How does this feast connect to important Catholic beliefs on the value of the human person in their entirety, which means both their spirit and body? In addition, we discuss the Ark of the Covenant, the Resurrection, death, and the deeper meaning behind Luke's description of Mary as "full of grace."
Join us as we discuss The Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode108/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What is the Beatific Vision? When explaining the Beatific Vision to students in a short sound bite, a common initial response is one of disappointment. But is it really as boring as they may think? We explain why it is a place we want to be, and how to use examples of everyday things to illustrate its incredible beauty.
Join us as we discuss the beatific vision.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode107/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What Mindset Should Catholics Have About the World? - CHSS 106
In the face of the various challenges facing Western Christianity today, some Catholics have adopted one of two mindsets.
The first mindset could be likened to a fortress. The fortress mindset would say that the Catholic Christians need to do everything in their power to keep themselves unaffected by the challenges of the modern by closing themselves off from culture as much as possible. To this end, those who adopt the fortress mindset would say that it is important for Catholics to restrict themselves to reading solely Catholic books and to avoid non-Catholic ideas and literature as much as possible.
The second mindset could be likened to a café. The café mindset would say that Catholic Christians need to expose themselves as much as possible to non-Catholic literature and ideas. This perspective would insist far less on the need to read Catholic books before engaging the ideas of the current culture as much as possible. This approach would manifest itself in a classroom where students are entirely unacquainted with a Catholic perspective(s) on the Life Questions.
Within these polar extremes, the Second Vatican Council in its document Lumen Gentium proposed that Catholic Christians should be thoroughly acquainted with their faith as well as being firmly committed to engaging modern culture. To achieve both objectives, the council presumed that Catholics would be well versed in their faith while being simultaneously well acquainted with the positions of non-Catholic movements and thinkers.
In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of not only reading good Catholic authors such as the Fathers and Doctors of the Church but also the importance of engaging the ideas of those outside the Catholic faith. We discuss the precedents set in this regard by these great thinkers of the Catholic tradition who distinguished themselves by meeting both tasks.
We illustrate this principle set forth by the Second Vatican Council by briefly discussing the contributions of the great doctors of the Church, famous teachers down through the history of Catholic Christianity. Scholars such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and Robert Bellarmine are remembered to this day precisely because they had a great grasp of the faith and the ideas of other thinkers outside their theological tradition.
A study of these and other influential authors is an excellent starting point for thinking about these Life Questions in the context of the modern world.
Join us as we discuss the ideal to which Catholic Christians should strive in their engagements with the modern world.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode106/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In the Western world today, some Catholics find it difficult to feel confident in their faith. Whether at work, school or home, Catholics may encounter much opposition for their beliefs.
In the face of such challenges, how does a Catholic maintain confidence in their faith?
In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of reading good Catholic authors such as the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. These authors devoted much time to answering the great Life Questions (e.g., Does God exist?; Are certain actions evil? etc.).
Instead of reinventing the wheel, Catholics would do well to consult the writings of these famous Catholic authors.
Accessing their thoughts is critical for Catholics who wish to better understand the rationale for their various beliefs and practices. By reading their writings, Catholics can better understand the types of reasons early thinkers in their tradition brought to these questions.
One of the first sources Catholic should study is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. When reading this source, readers should pay close attention to the authors cited. Usually, the Catechism quotes or references statements from Augustine and Aquinas.
A study of these and other influential authors is an excellent starting point for thinking about these Life Questions.
Join us as we discuss the ways Catholics can maintain confidence in their faith.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode105/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Empathy can be loosely defined as the ability to experience the world as someone else. This ability to exercise empathy is essential for figuring out the reasons for another person’s actions, beliefs, and statements.
Often in the public domain, we encounter interpretations of others’ statements and actions that lack empathy.
In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of empathy for understanding our own faith and others. And we look at how Aquinas was perhaps the best example of someone who exercised empathy in order to strengthen one’s faith.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode104/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Everyone is a historian. Some people, however, are better at history than others. But everyone must do history. No one is free to not have to do history.
Wherever we go or whatever we do, we are faced with various histories. Whether conscientious of these histories or not, we engage with people, events and institutions which have their own histories.
In this episode, Mary and Erik Estrada discuss how Catholic Christians can use historical context in order to better interpret the events and artifacts of the past.
This ability to use historical context to understand the past can also be very helpful for understanding one’s spiritual life. When better grasping our Catholic history, we can more easily comprehend the Church’s reasons for its teachings, spiritual practices and ascetic disciplines.
We explain that a good sense of history is also critical for understanding our neighbors. At times, our neighbors come from different ethnic and religious traditions. In order to understand our neighbors and their religious traditions better, it is necessary for Catholics to develop get a good sense of religious history.
Join us as we discuss the importance of historical context for our spiritual life.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode103/
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Context is king. Every time we engage a piece of media, we are asked to make sense of it. What does it mean?
Context pervades every piece of media we consume. Whether viewing short video clips or reading an excerpt from a long speech, each piece of media emerges from a much broader context. Context is essential for obtaining a better interpretation of a given medium. However, relatively few people think about context in the abstract much less its importance in shaping how we interpret various media.
In this episode, we talk about the existence of context, the various places we encounter context, and how to situate various pieces of media within their broader contexts.
Join us today as we discuss the importance of context for interpretation.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode102/
Interpretation is easy to miss. Every time we go to mass, we hear an interpretation of various biblical texts.
But interpretation is critical. Nearly every piece of media we engage (e.g., videos, articles and books), primary sources aside, contain numerous interpretations of various types of data. Whether we read brief tweets or watch hour-long videos on the web, the chances are that much of what we consume contains interpretations. Interpretation is indeed everywhere. However, relatively few Catholics think about interpretation in the abstract much less its importance in shaping how we see the world.
In this episode, we talk about the existence of interpretation, the various places we encounter interpretation, how to differentiate good interpretations from bad ones and the Catholic Church’s relationship to the interpretation of Scripture. We note that the Catholic Church stands in a unique relationship to the interpretation of Scripture, as the community commission by Jesus to teach, speak and administer the Sacraments to the world.
Join us today as we discuss the importance of interpretation.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode101/
We have looked at the lives and works of many doctors and saints, as well as explored the teachings and practices of our faith. It has been a wonderful experience, and we discuss the key takeaways we have gleaned from the Catholic spiritual tradition in 100 episodes of our podcast.
Join us today as we discuss our reflections on 100 episodes.
Spirituality is often presented and understood as a pursuit that involves just one's self and God. In today's episode, we explore the role friendship has in Christian spirituality.
The concept of friendship is actually a foundational one for the Christian life. So important, in fact, that not only does Christ talk about it, but our ultimate goal in life, as we will see as we look at the Bible and the writings of various saints, should be in pursuit of friendship. The relationship between spirituality and morality is explored in light of what friendship really means, and how friendship with God undergirds all of this discussion.
Join us today as we discuss the role of friendship in spirituality.
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What purpose does moderation serve spiritually? Do Catholics still practice mortification today? How is moderation related to temperance and self-control? And how does moderation free us for greater goods? Join us as we discuss moderation and how it manifests itself in external and internal practices in Catholic spirituality.
In this episode, Mary and Erik Estrada discuss the Trinity as the source of the spiritual life. We use as our point of departure one of Augustine’s sermons. In this sermon, Augustine takes issue with the ideas of Celestius. As a popular student of Pelagius, Celestius defended the idea that human beings were in no way affected by sin of the first parents. Instead, all wrongdoing is primarily the result of the human will and not some defect in human nature. Thus, the solution to the human plight lies in the firm resolve of the will to do go and to develop good habits.
Augustine and the North African Episcopate took issue with Celestius’ ideas, condemning his teachings around 411. This sermon of Augustine’s is the product of this long debate with the teachings of Celelstius. In response, Augustine insisted that the human soul stands in need of God. By itself, the soul is incapable of raising itself toward the Highest Good, which is God. In the process of explaining these ideas, Augustine imparted much spiritual value to his audience.
Join us as we discuss Augustine’s thoughts about the ultimate source of our spiritual life.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode97/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode97/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In this episode, Mary and Erik Estrada discuss five practical tips for increasing spiritual growth. Join us as we discuss these key spiritual habits.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode96/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In this episode, Dr. Estrada discusses the analogy of faith and its use down through history. Join us as we discuss this integral theme to Catholic thinking.
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
In this episode, Mary and Erik discuss some recent events in their lives and the spiritual significance of parenthood in general and motherhood in particular.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode94/
Please note that Mary and Erik will be hosting a Zoom meeting this coming Thursday, May 13, 2021 (8 PM EST). The topic of discussion will be St. Margaret of Castello. We look forward to having a conversation with our audience.
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Saint Margaret of Castello was recently canonized by Pope Francis in April of 2021. Born blind and with other health ailments in Italy in the late 1200s, she was shunned and eventually abandoned by her parents. We'll talk about her story and why she is an extraordinary testament to faith, grace, and God's love.
Join us this week as we discuss the life and contribution of St. Margaret of Costello.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode93/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/Margaret-of-Castello/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagecom/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
A frequent theme in the Gospels is the temptation of triumphalism. At various points in Jesus’ ministry, his audience sought to make him a king or to construe him as a political revolutionary. In John’s gospel (ch. 6), for example, after feeding the multitudes, the author notes that crowds sought to make Jesus a king.
In response to this continual temptation, Jesus resisted such attempts. He even challenged these offers to make him as an earthly monarch by emphasizing the challenges involved in following him.
Jesus throughout the Synoptic Gospels made periodic recourse to the phrase “unless you pick up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” These appeals were meant to discourage, among other things, any temptation to triumphalism among the disciples of Jesus.
Such temptations to triumphalism even made their way among the inner core of Jesus’ followers. The Gospels record various instances of the disciples either seeking self-aggrandizement or seeking to dissuade Jesus from the sufferings of the cross.
To the present day, the temptation to triumphalism persists even in the church. It is very easy for Catholic Christians to be tempted to gloat over those who oppose the Catholic faith.
We discuss the dangers in triumphalism for any genuine Christian spirituality. A triumphalist position stands against the very heart of the Christian’s commitment to following the pattern of Jesus’s life, who described himself as being “meek and humble of heart.”
In this episode we discuss various questions such: What is the difference between triumphalism and genuine confidence in the faith? Why should Catholic Christians avoid triumphalism? How can Catholic Christians today avoid the temptation to triumphalism?
Join us this week as we discuss the role of triumphalism in the Christian’s spiritual life.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode92/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/Temptations-of-Triumphalism/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Music provided by Pond5.
Some people ask: Why did God allow that? Or, How long is God going to take to answer my prayers?
In this episode we discuss the questions: Why at times does God allow things not to happen on our timetable? And, why does God at times defy our expectations?
To address these questions, we discuss one of the early homilies in the pontificate of Pope Francis. In this sermon, Pope Francis discuss the various objectives God may have in not answering our prayers immediately.
Using various the examples of various biblical characters (i.e., Abraham, the Leper and the Good Thief), the pope invites Christians to consider the ways in which God is at work in their lives in a manner they do not always expect. Often, it is in the least likely places and in the least likely ways that God is at work in their lives. In light of this fact, the pope encourages Christians to consider the patience of God in inviting human beings to turn to Him, even at the very end of their lives.
The patience of God is often not something people think about. However, when people view their lives from God’s vantage point, they begin to see that God has other goals in mind in allowing them not to obtain things on their timetable or in the manner they expect.
Join us this week as we discuss the role of patience in the Christian’s spiritual life.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode91/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/Lessons-Patience-Christian-life/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Music provided by Pond5.
The question is often asked: How did Christianity change the Roman world? And, in what ways was the Roman world different after the advent of the Christian faith?
In this episode, we discussed the various ways from ethics to law that Christianity impacted the lives of people across the Roman Empire. We note that in many respects, the Roman Empire, despite its great cultural achievements, also posed many limitations on the lives of many people, especially those on the margins of society.
In a time where there is much misinformation spreading about Christian history, it is important for every Catholic Christian to know the history of their Church and the impact their religion had on the existing cultures.
These little-known of facts of early Church history will help inspire confidence in the accomplishments Christians have achieved on behalf of all peoples. Join us this week as we discuss the positive impact of the Church on Western civilization.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode90/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/Ways-Christianity-Changed-World/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Each year, Christians across the globe celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this episode, we discuss the following questions: What does the resurrection mean for each human being? What bearing does the resurrection have for each person’s life? How do we make the resurrection real to us near two millennia later? What are the most important considerations to bear in mind when thinking about the resurrection?
Join us as we discuss these and other important questions related to one of the most important events in the history of the Christian faith.
Every year near the end of Lent, Catholic Christians celebrate Holy Week. The Church invites the members of Christ’s body to reflect on the deeper theological meaning of this period in the liturgical calendar.
The Easter season most especially invites us to think about salvation history and especially its climax in Christ’s Paschal mystery. The Paschal mystery is a special theological phrase that refers to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Despite the grandeur of these events, it is often easy to lose sight of Easter’s meaning and its great significance for our lives. With the busyness of life, Catholic Christians can quickly forget the purpose of this liturgical season and these sacred days in the liturgical calendar.
In this episode, we invite listeners to think more deeply about the theological meaning of Easter, namely, God’s decisive victory over sin in his Son, Jesus. To guide us in this discussion, we have chosen one of the sermons of Augustine on the passion of Christ.
Augustine invited his audience to see in the passion the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. Augustine, like his contemporaries Hilary and Ambrose, viewed the Christian life as a journey.
In this respect, the passion of Christ was not only a promise of God’s fidelity but also an encouragement to Christians to continue in their daily striving toward the kingdom of God.
Join us this week as we discuss Augustine’s reflections on the meaning of the cross for the Christian’s spiritual journey.
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode88/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/Augustine-Meaning-Cross/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Catholic and Protestant Christians often use the same theological terms such as “faith,” “grace” and “salvation.” But do they understand these terms in the same way?
In this episode, we take some time to think critically about the meaning Catholic theologians have assigned to this term “faith.” We note that Augustine and Thomas Aquinas understood faith to be a theological virtue. By referring to this virtue as “theological,” they understood faith to be a virtue that most directly connects the Christian to God.
Faith, hope and love, both scholars believed, were given to the soul at baptism, the critical moment of the person’s incorporation into the Church, the Body of Christ. With God’s help and with personal initiative, the Christian thereafter exercises each of these theological virtues.
Throughout the Christian life, these theological virtues could be increased, decreased and even eliminated.
The theological virtue of faith, according to Augustine and Thomas Aquinas who followed him, means “to think with assent.” Faith assents to divine revelation.
In addition, these two thinkers likewise understood love to be a desiring of the good for someone else. Love leads the Christian to take positive action in the world.
The question of the loss of the theological virtue of faith has proven to be a point of contention between Protestant and Catholic Christians. In the show, we talk about how Catholic and Protestant Christians address the question of post-baptismal sin as it relates to the virtue of faith.
The medieval Scholastic theologians divided sins into two broad categories. First, there were sins against faith such as apostasy, heresy and idolatry. These types of sins most immediately led to the loss of the theological virtue of faith. Second, there were sins against morals. These types of sins harm the moral virtues such as justice, temperance and temperance.
In most instances, post-baptismal sins are against morals. Because of this, there is a loss of the theological virtue of love. In instances where the theological virtue of love has been lost, it is necessary for Catholics to restore this theological virtue. Sins against morals usually do not require a restoration of the theological virtue of faith. Although sins against morals can eventually lead to a diminution and eventual loss of the theological virtue of faith, the primary effect of sins against morals is a loss of the theological virtue of love.
In order to restore the theological virtue of love, Catholics need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and do penance for their sins. In this episode, we talk about why the Sacrament of Reconciliation is so important for Catholic spirituality, especially in light of the problems posed by post-baptismal sin.
Join us this week as we discuss faith, post-baptismal sin and its remedy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode87/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/faith-hope-love/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Catholics are often asked: where is that in the Bible? In this episode, we discuss the principles that guide Catholic thinking about what should and should not be done in Church. Join us this week as we talk about Catholic spiritual practices and their historical-theological roots.
Many Catholics have observed the practice of Lent without asking themselves: What is the purpose of this season in the liturgical year? In this episode, we briefly outline some of the major goals the Church has outlined with respect to the practice of Lent.
The purpose of Lent is to remind Catholics that our spiritual life is a journey toward an eternity of fellowship with God. With all the busyness of life, it is easy for Catholics to forget this most fundamental of truths.
Aware of this challenge, the church encourages its members to continually remember their final destination. An entire season in the liturgical year commonly referred to as Lent is meant to deal with this persistent challenge.
The season of Lent is designed to help Catholics recall not only their final destination with God in eternal life but also their mortality. Preparing the members of the Church to have a good death is one of the major goals of the season of Lent.
Rather than allowing death to take Catholics by surprise, the Church builds in this annual reminder about the final destination of our journey which passes through the transitory passage of death. An entire season is occupied with recalling the solemn reminder: “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
The season of Lent occupies such a central place in the liturgical year because the Church wishes to prepare its members for an eternity with God. Their journey back to God is a perilous one. Because of this reality, an entire season of the liturgical year has been designed in order to assist Catholics with their journey.
During this season of the liturgical year, the Church encourages its members to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Church encourages its members to practice works of mercy and acts of mortification in order to strengthen their spiritual lives.
Join us this week as we discuss Lent and its important place in the liturgical year. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode85/
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/goals-of-lent/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Why do Catholics invest so much time and effort in the celebration of the Sacraments? In this episode, we briefly outline some of the differences between the Protestant and Catholic worlds with regard to beliefs and practices concerning the Sacraments.
One of the things non-Catholic Christians immediately perceive in their initial impressions of the Catholic Church is the centrality of the sacraments. They notice that from week-to-week Catholic services always include the celebration of the Eucharist.
Although normal for many Catholics, such regularity in the celebration of the Eucharist is anything but normal for many non-Catholic Christians. This weekly celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist may come as a surprise to many Protestant Christians.
The practice of frequent communion can be startling because the Eucharist in some Protestant traditions is celebrated once a month or perhaps even less frequently than that. Furthermore, the Eucharist is sometimes celebrated on a Sunday or Wednesday evening service. At these services, the entire congregation may not be present but perhaps only a certain percentage of a given community.
In this episode, we talk about why the Sacraments occupy such a central place in Catholic liturgies. We briefly discuss the fact that at every Catholic worship service, ecumenical gatherings aside, the Eucharist is celebrated. We also note that some Sunday liturgies even have a baptism of an infant placed in the service itself.
So, what accounts for this stark difference in sacramental practice? If one could put the answer as concisely as possible, one would have to say that the answer is salvation.
In this episode, we talk about the Catholic belief in the central role of the Sacraments in the salvation of the Catholic Christian. This one belief about the salvific efficacy of the Sacraments accounts for the great importance accorded to the Sacraments in the Catholic Church. It also explains why the Sacraments are celebrated with such frequency.
In the end, the differences between Catholic and Protestant practices surrounding the Sacraments emerge largely as a result of differing belief structures. The Catholic view is dominated by belief about the roles of Sacraments in the process of salvation. The Protestant worldview about salvation, broadly construed, depends far less on the salvific efficacy of the Sacraments and far more on the faith of the Christian.
Join us this week as we discuss the Sacraments and their central place within Catholic liturgy and spirituality. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode84
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/importance-Catholic-sacraments/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Last week we discussed one objection to free will, which suggests that it may have been better if God did not create people with any freedom. During that discussion, we touched on original sin.
This episode discusses critical questions related to this topic: What is original sin? What is a common misunderstanding of the teaching of original sin? Can we explain why some may bristle at this misrepresentation of what original sin is?
We then explore how closely connected original sin is to free will and to the work of Jesus, the sacraments, and the Church.
Original sin is not a personal fault. Rather, it is a condition that all people are born with. We are weakened and wounded by it.
We see this in our struggle to choose good, and our need for constant grace or help from God. Part of the mission of the Church is to help Catholic Christians grow towards our union with God and enjoy a life to the full in Christ.
We also touch on infant baptism and the different ideas proposed for how to understand the effects of original sin.
Join us this week as we discuss original sin and its impact on human freedom. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode83
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/original-sin-free-will-and-salvation/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review
What role does free will play in the spiritual life? The entirety of the Scriptures presuppose human freedom. From the creation of Adam to the creation of the new heavens and the new earth, the Scriptures assume that human beings have the ability to choose between right and wrong, to obey or not to obey.
In this episode we talk about the centrality of human freedom in nearly every dimension of human experience and especially the spirituality of the Catholic Christian. We ask the general question whether it would have been better for God to create human beings with no freedom and thus incapable of doing wrong or to create human beings with freedom and thus the possibility of choosing evil.
We are not the first to address this question. From the beginning of church history, various scholars have raised this question about human freedom as it relates to the morality of human acts.
Augustine ranks among the most famous of the early church thinkers who grappled with this complex question. Augustine stated that without freedom, human beings would be neither worthy of praise for good actions nor worthy of blame for evil actions.
We note especially that for Augustine as well as for the majority of Catholic theologians down through the centuries, true freedom consists in choosing higher goods. We note that for Augustine sin always involves an improper choosing of lower goods over higher ones.
Human freedom is one of the defining characteristics of human nature. When human freedom is removed, human beings cannot fully actualize their nature. Jesus claimed that those who make a practice of sin become slaves to sin. Choosing to do wrong slowly takes away a human’s freedom over time. By contrast, choosing to do the good increases a person’s freedom.
A proper understanding of human freedom is critical for a proper understanding of the spiritual life. Join us this week as we provide a preliminary introduction to this question about human freedom and its impact on morality. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode82
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/human-freedom-and-consequences/
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
The authors of the New Testament frequently tried to help the early followers of Jesus understand their new identity as the most important facet of their personal existence. Throughout the Pauline Epistles, for example, one finds the Apostle Paul addressing the various followers of Jesus in different parts of the Roman Empire as “saints” or those who are in Christ. Paul even refers to followers of Jesus, whether Jewish or Gentile, as the “Israel of God.”
The authors of the New Testament prioritized the question of identity precisely because they believed that the true citizenship of all members of the church was first and foremost in the heavenly kingdom. They all believed that after death, Christians would inherit the eschatological kingdom as a direct result of their belonging to the body of Christ. The major concern in this life, these authors believed, was to stay true to this commitment of belonging to Christ’s body, namely, the Church. There were many challenges in the ancient world that potentially prevented the followers of Jesus from following through with this commitment until the end of their lives. For this reason, the apostles laid a heavy emphasis on identity in order to keep the saints focused on the goal of the Christian life, namely, to enjoy communion with God and the saints both now and forever.
These efforts at reinforcing identity were no accident. Rather, the authors of the New Testament deliberately invoked titles such as saints, sojourners and the twelves tribes of Israel dispersed abroad in order to help the followers of Jesus reconceive their identity precisely in response to the various challenges facing Christians at different times and in different places for the first-century world. These New Testament authors believed that assisting the recipients of their letters with this critical question of their new identity in Christ and as members of the body of Christ would greatly assist them in navigating the difficulties of their commitment to the faith.
Aware of the power of identity in general, Paul and the other apostolic writers began their lengthy letters with these pointed reminders. These authors were acutely cognizant of the fact that identity is one of the most powerful dimensions to human existence. One of the fundamental motivators of human action is the desire to stay consistent with one’s identity.
Professionals in various fields, for example, will often introduce themselves according to their professions such as “I’m a lawyer,” or “I’m a counselor.” These are concise but potent introduction because they reference the guild to which a person belongs. Such brief identity designations say much about people’s vocations and priorities in this world.
In a similar manner, the authors of the New Testament make frequent recourse to the question of identity. They were acutely aware of the need to help the new and even seasoned members of the Church recognize their dignities and the responsibilities as members of Christ’s body. In view of such a recognition, the authors of the Gospels, the Epistles and the Acts of the Apostles inspired their listeners to act in new and even countercultural ways.
Recognizing the importance of our Catholic identity is essential in the modern world. Like their early Christian forebears, contemporary Catholic Christians are faced with similar challenges of pluralism, internal challenges to the faith and the question of prioritizing competing identities (e.g., ethnic, professional and religious) as their primary center of identification. In the face of these challenges, Catholics should identify first as Catholic Christians and then according to their other forms of identity (e.g., national, professional, regional etc.)
Join us this week as we provide a preliminary introduction to this question about Catholic identity. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode81
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/identity-in-Christ-basis-of-Christian-identity/
Sincerely,
Mary Estrada and Dr. Erik Estrada
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show
Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How do we live a life that is led by the Holy Spirit? Paul tells us in Galatians that rather than just checking off a list of moral obligations, we are to live by a new paradigm. And this paradigm has as its foundation nothing other than God, who is the source of all that is good and beautiful.
A person who is led by the Holy Spirit, and who has God's love as their foundation, will manifest love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control in their lives.
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Join us this week as we provide an initial overview of the fruits of the Spirit and spiritual life. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode80
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
CHSS 79: The Fruits of the Spirit: An Overview
What are the fruits of the Spirit? And, why did Paul encourage the Christians of Galatia to “walk in the Spirit?” (Gal 5:25)
In this brief episode, we provide a brief overview of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in the Epistle to the Galatians 5:22-23.
We not only identify what the fruits of the Spirit were, but we also discuss why exactly Paul included a discussion of these fruits. We note that Paul discussed the fruits of the Spirit in light of his longer conversation about the relationship between Christians and the Mosaic law.
Paul’s discussion about the fruits of the Spirit was nested in a historic controversy among Jewish and Gentile Christians over the proper Christian disposition toward the Mosaic law. Instead of using the Mosaic law as a primary reference for their moral conduct, Paul maintains, Christians should use the Spirit as the compass for their moral life. Rather than relying on a written law as the primary compass of a moral life, Paul’s maintained that none other than God the Holy Spirit establishes for believers in Jesus their spiritual direction.
Although innovative, this new proposal created a problem: How does one know if one is actually living one’s life according to the dictates of the Holy Spirit? A person could justify all sorts of activities, one could object, according to the supposed dictates of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit is not bodily present, one can theoretically attribute all sorts of activities to the prompting of the Spirit. This created a true conundrum.
Anticipating this objection, Paul not only explicitly rejected the notion that a Christian could use their freedom for lawlessness (Gal 5:13) but also succinctly identified the characteristics of the Holy Spirit’s operation in a human life (Gal 5:22-23). The Spirit does indeed provide parameters for a person’s moral life.
We devote a good portion of this episode to discussing the hallmark of the fruits of the Spirit, namely, love. Paul deliberately began his list of the fruits of the Spirit with this key virtue, knowing that all the others depended in one way or another on love. In the end, Paul identified love as the litmus test of the Spirit’s work in the lives of Christians.
Join us this week as we provide an initial overview of the fruits of the Spirit. To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode79
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/the-fruits-of-the-spirit-an-overview/
CHSS 78: Beauty in Catholic Spirituality
Catholics are at times told by their non-Catholic neighbors, friend and co-workers that money should never be used for building large churches or for obtaining works of art to be placed in the sanctuary. That money, some critics of the Church argue, should instead be allocated entirely to those experiencing poverty.
These objections raise various questions of great importance surrounding the relationship between money, art and beauty. Should Catholics ever invest any money in making their worship spaces more beautiful? What is the purpose of beauty in buildings or artwork in the Church? What is the balance between the allocation of money for worship spaces and the care of the poor?
These are important questions that Catholics frequently face from others who do not share their faith commitments. But they are important questions to ask because they invite those discussing these matters to think more deeply about the purpose of the Church as a whole and the purpose of beauty in Catholic spirituality in particular.
In this episode we discuss the purpose of beauty in Catholic spirituality and especially in the worship service. The primary purpose of the Catholic services is to worship God. One of the best ways for people to connect to God is through the path of beauty. God is beautiful and is even Beauty Itself. Beauty is one of the most powerful ways to foster a deeper spirituality.
Catholics also believe that human beings are made up of body and soul. Human beings first experience the world through their bodies, through the human senses. Human beings experience the world through the sense of sight, taste touch and smell. Through these senses, human beings can come to a deeper understanding of the world around them. The senses are an excellent vehicle through which human beings can learn something not only about the world around them but also about God. God has left in creation traces of his own self. Traces of God’s power, majesty and beauty remain in the creation. Through the senses, human beings can access those traces of God’s presence and through them, their minds can be lifted to God.
On the basis of these core convictions, Catholics believe that the members of the Church can indeed use beauty as a means to worship God. For this reason, Catholics have used such things as music, massive cathedrals, sacred images and other tangible entities that elevate the soul in the worship of God.
Catholics are not new in adopting material entities in the worship of God. The precedent for using created matter is none other than the Old Testament. Therein, the people of Israel used material entities such as a temple, psalms and even sacred oils were used as a means to honor and worship God. From the days of the patriarchs to the present, beauty has served as one of the primary means for bringing people into a stronger connection with God.
Join us this week as we discuss the various benefits that beauty can offer in the fostering of a deeper Catholic spirituality.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode78
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
If we had to choose just the single most important difference between Catholic and Protestant worldviews, it would have to be the understanding of the Church. The Catholic worldview is rooted in the conviction that the Church is first and foremost the body of Christ. Many other conclusions follow from this most important of conclusions.
On the basis of this core conviction, Catholics believe that membership in the church is integral to the spirituality of the Catholic Christian. For it is through the Church, the body of Christ, that one comes to have a relationship with Jesus, the head of the Church.
In this episode, we discuss the practical implications of this teaching which finds its expression in the Catholic belief in the communion of saints. A belief in the communion of saints finds its expression in the veneration of the saints, the request of prayers from the saints, and the assistance that the members of the Church militant can provide to the members of the church in purgatory. All of these teachings are connected to a core conviction that Christians are interconnected in the body of Christ.
This episode gives special attention to the idea that the sufferings of the members of Christ’s body can benefit the spiritual well-being of other Christians. The Apostle Paul often expressed his belief in this teaching in a variety of ways from praying for the recipients of his letters to expressing his conviction that his personal sufferings were for the spiritual benefit of the various communities he had founded (Col 1:24). These spiritual benefits, he believed, would aid the early recipients of his letters, and presumably subsequent generations of Christians in those same communities, in their path to attaining eternal life. Even though separated by hundreds of miles from these congregations, Paul believed that his sufferings on behalf of the faith would accrue to the spiritual benefit of other members of Christ’s body. The principle supporting this belief was the conviction that all the members of the body are interconnected and because of this connection mutually support each other through their virtuous actions.
We also discuss the question whether our spiritual sufferings, even for the wrongs we have committed, can benefit the body of Christ? We answer in the affirmative. We note that it lies within God’s providence to make all things work together for good for those who love God and were called according to God’s purpose (Rom 8:28). Catholic Christians should not lose heart as a result of their personal failures but rather should use such occasions as spiritual lessons to to avoid future sin and instead to push forward to a greater love for God and neighbor.
Join us this week as we discuss the various spiritual truths that can be accrued from a correct understanding of the nature of the Church as the mystical body of Christ.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode77
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
As we begin a new year again, many people are making resolutions. At this time of year, people often make various types of health and wellness resolutions from going to the gym daily to losing a certain amount of weight by the next year. The new year is a unique opportunity to start afresh. With the calendar reset, people often look to the new year to make critical decisions about how to improve their physical well being.
Although the new year has become synonymous with health resolutions, we often do not think of the new year as an opportunity to make spiritual resolutions. By spiritual resolutions we mean concrete decisions to improve our spiritual well-being. Why is this?
In this episode, we discuss some reasons why people do not make spiritual resolutions. In modern Western society, we are often tempted to think that progress in the spiritual life is simply automatic just as physical growth is automatic in children and adolescents. But this is not the case in the spiritual life.
To counter this trend, we encourage our audience to make resolutions for improving their spiritual well-being. We discuss the various types of resolutions Catholics can make in increasing their spiritual growth. From the daily recitation of the Rosary to daily spiritual reading, we suggest practical ways that Catholics can greatly enhance their spirituality by the next year.
Above all, we encourage Catholics to decide to formulate reasonable and attainable goals such as reading for 10 to 15 minutes a day. By writing these goals down and reviewing these goals periodically, Catholics can gain more confidence in attaining their spiritual goals. These measures, we believe, will help Catholics gain much ground in their spiritual lives.
Join us this week as we discuss the various things we can do as Catholic Christians to increase our spiritual growth.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode76
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Last week we discussed the challenges to the message of Christmas, which is the message of God’s intervention into history to save humanity through the Paschal mystery of Jesus.
In this episode we discuss the various cultural challenges to the announcement of this good news, more formally referred to as the “Gospel.” Among other things, we discuss how the contemporary cultures undermine in various ways the proclamation of this message from relativism to materialism.
These various philosophical and cultural ideologies in one way or another challenge the necessity of either believing in God or conforming one’s moral life to the teachings of Jesus. Rather than emphasizing the centrality of God in human life, these ideologies set in their place a whole range of alternative priorities from self-fulfillment to the creation of an earthly utopia.
In light of these idelogies, Catholics are faced with a large array of questions: Is the message of Jesus true? What difference does Jesus make to human life? Why should one conform one’s life to the moral teachings of Jesus?
In light of the significance of these questions, it is important for Catholics to be fully aware of these cultural challenges and their impact on the ways Catholics and many others are encouraged to see the world. When aware of these cultural challenges, Catholics can better assess their influence and respond accordingly.
Join us this week as we discuss what spiritual lessons we can learn from identifying and responding to some of the major challenges to the proclamation of the Gospel.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode75
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What is the meaning of Christmas? In this episode, we discuss the meaning of Christmas in these rather challenging times.
The world in 2020 has seen numerous challenges to say the least. Living in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, many are asking themselves: What is the promise of Christmas? Some are even tempted to ask: Is Christmas merely a distraction from the gravity of the situation?
In this episode, we discuss the original challenges facing Judaism at the time of Jesus’ birth. We note among other things, that first-century Judaism was beset by religious rivalries, differences of view concerning politics and religion and the phenomena of sectarianism and political revolutionaries and the overarching dominance of the Roman Empire. Within those challenges, Jesus was born to bring salvation to humanity.
The purpose of Christmas is first and foremost soteriological. That is, Jesus came in order to affect the salvation of the world. Proclaiming this message to the world has been the central mission of the Church since its inception.
Although the Church has largely viewed its mission in terms of the salvation of souls, definite challenges to this perspective have arisen in recent decades. Various critics from within the walls of Christianity and outside have claimed that the insistence on salvation has only served as a ploy to distract others from the Church’s true mission to bring utopia on earth. These criticisms seek to undo the longstanding Catholic view of Christmas and its bearing on the salvation of humanity.
Join us this week as we discuss what spiritual lessons we can learn from the message of Christmas.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode74
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Who was Our Lady of Guadalupe? In this episode, we review the history of the December 1531 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego.
In early December 1531, Mary is said to have appeared on at least four separate occasions to Juan Diego. These apparitions left as a relic of their validity the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is still preserved today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Among other things, we note that this image was an important catalyst for the conversion of millions of indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica and beyond. The image had encoded within it various pictographs, which presented themselves as a direct message from heaven for the peoples of Central Mexico. The image of Mary on Juan Diego’s tilma indicated that the true God had become incarnate in the virgin’s womb. Some early modern historians have argued that many indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica who were able to read the appeal of this image decided to convert to Catholicism. They in turn spread the message about this image to others and presented themselves for initiation into the Catholic faith.
In her statements to Juan Diego, Mary disclosed that she was indeed the mother of the oppressed peoples in the area and that it was her intention to convert them to the Christian faith. She spoke to Juan Diego in his native tongue and expressed to him her care for him and his dying uncle. Her central request of a basilica being built in her honor has had an enormous spiritual significance for the lives of millions of Catholics across the Americas and, indeed, the world.
We also discuss in this episode the relevance of this apparition for the 21st century, which some have described as an age of unbelief. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has various inexplicable features (e.g., the absence of paint strokes, the survival of the image to the present day, the image of micro figures in the eye of the image) which still require much explanation to the present day.
Join us this week as we discuss what spiritual lessons we can learn from the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode73
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What can monasticism teach lay Catholics about the spiritual life? In this episode we explore the insights that married and single Catholics can glean from the institution of monasticism.
Monasticism was a form of Christian living that emerged in the third century. After Anthony of Egypt decided to live in the desert in communion with God, men and women began to do likewise by living solitary and in some cases communal lives in the spiritual pursuit of holiness.
In this episode, we talk about the advantages that a monastic context provided men and women down through the centuries. Among other things, monasticism provide people the opportunity to have contact with nature. Living in a rural context gave people the chance to more easily contemplate their place and purpose in the world and their relationship with God.
Monasticism also afforded people a chance for silence. Set in nature, monasticism gave people the chance to be away from the noise of the city and the chance to more easily hear God’s quiet voice.
These are just some of the benefits afforded to people from the monastic context. In light of these benefits, we talk about what lay people can learn from the history of monastic institutions for their own daily spiritual practices. We discuss how lay Catholic can integrate such practices as silence, experience God in nature and other related questions.
Join us this week as we discuss how the features of monasticism can positively benefit the spiritual lives of lay Catholics.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode72
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What is humility? How do we experience humility? And what is the aim of humility in the Catholic’s spirituality?
To discuss these questions, we look at various episodes in the Gospels and the teachings of the early Fathers of the Church. In this episode we note that humility is one of the pervading motifs throughout the Gospels and the entire New Testament. From the Incarnation to the Paschal mystery, we see the Son of God manifesting humility in love for humanity.
We note that humility is the quality of accurately assessing one’s abilities and limitations and one’s recognition of one’s ultimate dependence on God.
Join us this week as we discuss the virtue of humility and place in the Catholic spiritual life.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode71
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
What is meditation? How do we meditate? And what is the aim of meditation?
To discuss these questions, we look at the example of Mary’s response to the Annunciation. We give special attention to the statement in Luke’s Gospel that Mary pondered all these things in her heart. The Catholic practice of meditation consists chiefly in recollecting and interpreting the significance of the events of salvation history.
Join us this week as we discuss meditation and its practice in the Catholic spiritual life.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode70
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Ambrose of Milan (ca. 337-397) was one of the great fourth-century doctors of the Church. In this episode we briefly review his life, achievements and the significance of his contribution for Catholic Christians today.
Ambrose was a Catholic bishop in Milan, Italy. He is most remembered for his involvement in the conversion of Augustine of Hippo (ca. 354-430). In his Confessions, Augustine relates that a key step in his conversion to Catholicism involved a trip to the Basilica in Milan to hear Ambrose preach. In the sermon, Augustine heard Ambrose utilizing the allegorical method of interpretation, inviting listeners to see the deeper meaning of the various stories recorded in the Old Testament. So captivated was Augustine by this experience that he began to rethink his earlier aversion to the Scriptures. This shift which began in Milan eventually culminated in his baptism at the hands of Ambrose.
In this episode we talk about Ambrose’s use of philosophy and Greco-Roman rhetoric to promote the advancement of the Catholic faith. We give special attention to Ambrose’s use of the Neoplatonist philosophy as a mean for articulating the Christian concept of God. In adopting this course of action, Ambrose was taking his place alongside other earlier Christian Platonists such Origen, Basil of Caesarea and Gregory Nazianzus who had likewise used the Platonist tradition to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.
We also note Ambrose’s role in opposition to the Emperor Theodosius. Because of his ordering of the slaughter of many Thessalonicans, Ambrose opposed Theodosius’s readmittance into communion until he had done penance for his sin. In taking this action, Ambrose put his own well-being at risk. Theodosius could have easily subjected Ambrose to permanent exile, as was the fate of many fourth-century bishops who became the object of the emperor’s ire. Instead, he opposed the emperor for his spiritual well-being.
Join us this week as we discuss Ambrose’s life and his key contributions to the Catholic faith. You can access this show wherever you download podcasts.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode70
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
Hilary of Poiters (ca. 300-367) was one of the great fourth-century doctors of the Church. In this episode we briefly review his life, achievements and the significance of his contribution for Catholic Christians today.
Hilary was a Catholic bishop in Poitiers, Gaul. He is most remembered for his consistent opposition to Arian Christianity. Arianism asserted that the Son of God was a creature and that there was a time when the Son of God did not exist. In response to this theological position, Hilary composed various books seeking to defend and clarify the faith of Catholic Church on this matter.
Up until Hilary’s time, the clearest expression on this question of Christ’s nature was the famous decree of the Council of Nicea (ca 325). Despite Nicea’s efforts to settle the debate over’s Christ true nature, much confusion ensued after the council. Part of this confusion came about as a result of Nicea’s use of the loaded term “consubstantial” (homoousios – “of the same substance”).
Hilary sought to clarify what Nicea truly taught about this matter since at that time the term “consubstantial” was being misunderstood, especially in the Eastern half of the Catholic Church. Because many Eastern Christians misunderstood this key term in the decades after the council, Catholic Christian supporters of an orthodox Christology were unecessarily divided by this language. Hilary sought to create common ground among Catholic Christians East and West around a proper interpretation of the Council of Nicea.
Join us this week as we discuss Hilary’s contributions to the Catholic faith. You can access this show wherever you download podcasts.
To access the text of this letter discussed during the show, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/DoctorHilary/
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode69
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
What is theology? And what are the paths to the study of theology? In this episode, Dr. Estrada shares his journey to the study of theology. Among other things, Dr. Estrada explains that theology is first and foremost a conversation about God and, secondarily, a conversation about the Life Questions.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of studying theology, regardless of one’s profession. We consider various factors that influence one’s ability to study theology such as time, opportunity and resources.
Join us this week as we discuss the benefits of studying theology as a personal pursuit and/or as an academic discipline. You can access this show wherever you download podcasts.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode68
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How do we foster the growth of our Catholic children during the pandemic? With some parents unable to attend Mass for a variety of reasons, fostering the faith of the next generation can be a challenge.
In this episode, we discuss three simple but effective strategies for promoting growth in the faith. We consider such practices as daily prayer, the reading of the Scriptures and the memorization of important verses of the Bible.
Join us this week as we discuss the three major strategies for promoting the spiritual growth of our children. You can access this show wherever you download podcasts.
To access the text of this letter discussed during the show, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/growfaith/
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode67
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) is the most recent doctor of the Church. Although Therese only lived to the age of 24, Therese remains one of the most beloved and frequently read Catholic saints in modern history.
In this episode, we discuss the major outlines of Therese’s religious thinking, which were preserved in her major work. Most Catholics have known Therese through her magnum opus, The Story of a Soul, a work that has been translated into over 60 languages.
Our conversation discusses the salient ideas in Therese’s spirituality. Therese emphasized simplicity in the spiritual life. One of the most important touchstones for her life was the words of Jesus: “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Join us this week as we discuss Therese’s approach to the spiritual life. You can access this show wherever you download podcasts.
To access the text of this letter discussed during the show, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/DoctorTherese/
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode66
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Jerome (ca. 330/347-419/420) was one of the great doctors of the Western Church. Born in Stridon, Dalmatia (perhaps modern-day Croatia), Jerome converted to Christianity around 20 years old and worked in service of the Catholic Church to his dying day
In this episode, we discuss the foundations of Jerome’s religious thinking. Although remembered by later ages as one of the most skilled scholars on the text of the Bible, Jerome had another side to him that is often neglected in the telling of his life’s story. Jerome was committed to following the authority of the papacy, the Chair of Peter. In this respect, Catholic Christians have looked to Jerome as a model scholar and a faithful Catholic.
Our conversation addresses the question why Jerome held the papacy in high regard and how this foundational belief shaped his approach to the contested religious questions of his time. We contrast Jerome’s approach to authority with other approaches and consider what led this ancient scholar to rely heavily on the authority of the Church.
Join us this week as we review Jerome’s approach to answering the life questions.
To access the text of this letter discussed during the show, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/DoctorJerome/
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode65
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
How do we carry our cross? In the Synoptic Gospels Christ challenges his followers to take up their cross and follow him. In this episode, we briefly discuss Augustine’s understanding of Christ’s call to carry our cross.
Among other things, Augustine observes that carrying the cross contains a paradox. On the one hand, carrying the cross involves much effort on the part of the Catholic Christian. On the other hand, however, carrying the cross is in a certain sense easy because God offers the Christian much help.
Join us this week as we explore the paradoxical nature of carrying the cross.
To access the text of this sermon, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/Augustineserm96/
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode64
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
How should Catholics think about non-Catholic writings? Should Catholics give any considerations to such documents?
Down through the centuries, various Catholic Christians have expressed everything from moderate caution to complete rejection of the idea of reading non-Catholic texts. Among the various concerns raised were fears that the reading of such documents could corrupt the soul, negatively influence one’s thinking and even compromise one’s fidelity to Christ and the Church. These were indeed grave concerns
In this episode, we continue our conversation from last week by discussing how the Doctors of the Church utilized the writings of non-Catholic authors. The work of the Doctors, we believe, provides an excellent opportunity to consider this question on the extent to which Catholic Christians should use the writings of non-Catholic thinkers.
We note, among other things, that the Doctors of the Church were educated in the schools of rhetoric and philosophy that made extensive use of non-Christian writings such as those penned by Homer, Plato, Cicero and many others. These documents were critical at helping them form their abilities to analyze, interpret and present their findings. Their abilities in reading, writing and speaking surpassed their contemporaries.
One could argue that it was precisely their engagement with non-Christian writings that made them famous preachers, theologians and apologists. A meaningful engagement with these sources equipped them to engage their culture and to make a contribution to a better understanding of the Christian faith.
Join us this week as we discuss the various considerations Catholics should bear in mind when reading non-Christian writings.
To access a listing of series of sources where one can find the writings of the Doctors of the Church, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/doctorsseries/
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode63
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
What were the main characteristics of the Doctors of the Church? In this episode, we briefly discuss not only who the Doctors the Church were, but we also describe some of their salient characteristics.
We note, among other things, that the Doctors were most remembered as those who excelled in a deep understanding of the Christian faith. Despite their cultural, historical and professional differences, they were united by a depth of understanding that was unparalleled during their times.
They were also united in their deep commitment to the Catholic faith. Throughout their Christian life, they had a remarkable commitment to the the teaching authority of the Church. The Church established the basis for their thinking about the life questions.
We also note that the Doctors of the Church were characterized by a deep love of God and their fellow human beings. These men and women reached intellectual heights unknown to most other Christians of their respective eras. Nevertheless, they were characterized by a deep commitment to share their faith and to contribute to the formation of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
To access a listing of series of sources where one can find the writings of the Doctors of the Church, please navigate to: http://catholicheritagespirituality.com/doctorsseries/
Join us this week as we discuss key principles for overcoming challenges and enjoying the blessings of the Church’s treasures.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode63
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Since the mid-twentieth century, US Catholicism has experienced a great reduction in its membership. Many families that had been Catholic for generations now have fewer if any active members.
For a variety of reasons, but sometimes as a result of negative personal experiences or scandals caused by leaders or lay members, some Catholics leave their faith and either join another Christian community or cease to practice their faith altogether.
At times, people can have negative experiences in their interactions with their local Catholic parish or with Catholics in their sphere of everyday experience. These experiences are indeed disconcerting, to say the least.
In view of such experiences, some people who are either joining, returning or considering further involvement in their local parish may have second thoughts. Wouldn’t it be better, they might ask themselves, to join another more welcoming and more vibrant Christian community? Or, better yet, why not have direct access to Jesus through the Bible, without any need for any Church?
Negative experiences with Catholic Christians, whether lay or ordained, are virtually inevitable. The Church is made up of human beings who are bound to fail in one way or another.
But we believe that despite these negative experiences, all people should either join, return to or stay in the Catholic Church. But what considerations should someone bear in mind for joining, returning or staying in the Catholic Church?
In this episode, we set forth the three major considerations one should keep in mind when navigating their experience with their local Catholic parish or with Catholics whom they know. Our hope is that the treasures of the Church and the opportunities for spiritual gain discussed in this episode would inspire people to persevere in the face of such challenges.
Join us this week as we discuss key principles for overcoming challenges and enjoying the blessings of the Church’s treasures.
To comment on this show or to provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode61
The Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Have you ever wondered: What does the Catholic Church actually teach about this or that question? Why exactly does the Catholic Church take this position on this or that doctrinal or moral question?
These are important questions because of the multiplicity of media sources continually raising questions on these matters. Furthermore, these are also important questions because of the proliferation of videos, podcasts and blogs available today.
This experience of consuming content from different sources may generate some confusion. Everyone is not saying the same thing.
So where does a Catholic look who wants to access authentic Catholic teaching? In other words, what are the resources designed to help Catholic Christians align their thinking with that of the Church?
In this episode, we talk about the three most important resources Catholics need for understanding the beliefs and practices of their Church. Among the various sources mentioned in this episode are the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of the magisterium and the writings of the doctors of the Church.
In our experience, these by far have been the most reliable resources for accessing authentic Catholic teaching.
This episode briefly discusses each of these three categories sources and provides key definitions for important terms needed to understand their authors.
Join us this week as we discuss the three most important resources for accessing authentic Catholic teachings.
Conversions in the Catholic Spiritual Life – Insights from Augustine of Hippo - CHSS 59
Many people think about conversion as a once in a lifetime event. But is this really the case? Is conversion a singular moment never to be experienced again? In this episode we discuss this difficult question by seeking insight from the writings of Augustine of Hippo.
Augustine of Hippo introduces us to the idea that conversion, in the fullest sense of the term, is never truly complete in this life. In his various writings, Augustine maintains that the purpose of the Christian life should be understood as the restoration of the original alignment enjoyed by the first parents of humanity before the fall. The Christian life, argued Augustine, should be understood as re-aligning one’s self toward God by seeking the highest good in life.
Join us this week as we discuss Augustine’s rich understanding of conversion.
You can find this podcast episode on all the major podcast distribution channels (Stitcher, Apple Podcasts) and on our site catholicheritagespirituality.com
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode59
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
The Relationship between Faith, Reason and Mystery – CHSS 58
Have you ever heard someone say something to the effect of: “You can’t give any reasons for what you believe, you just have to believe it”? Statements such as these presuppose that faith is incompatible with reason. In other words, there are no legitimate reasons one can give for accepting the truths of Christianity (e.g., the historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth, the Incarnation [i.e., the Logos becoming flesh] and Christ’s resurrection). But is faith really incompatible with reason?
In this episode, we talk about the relationship between faith and reason, and the unique role that mystery plays in our understanding of the faith. We talk about the inherent tension in the act of faith, which requires someone to be able to grasp the truths believed in but also to recognize that even our grasping of these truths is not comprehensive. In other words, faith allows us to hold on to truths about God, but at the same time we recognize that those truths we profess by faith do not exhaust everything that makes up God.
We can profess our faith in God’s infinity, for example, but we can also profess our belief that God in some sense became finite in the Incarnation. This simultaneous affirmation of the infinity and the finiteness of God seems contradictory. In such instances as these, the Catholic recognizes the place of mystery. A mystery signifies an element of our faith that lies simultaneously within and beyond the grasp of faith.
Holding the truths of the Christian faith demands a recognition of the mysterious in those truths. Join us this week as we explore how elements of mystery pervade the at times tense relationship between faith and reason.
You can find this podcast episode on all the major podcast distribution channels (Stitcher, Apple Podcasts) and on our site catholicheritagespirituality.com
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode58
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Many of our Catholic beliefs and practices can seem odd if one does not understand their historical and theological basis. Practices such as praying for the dead, the intercession of saints, penance and the liturgy make sense when one understands the Jewish context out of which they emerged. We also discuss the role the Deuterocanonical books have had in shaping and explaining such Catholic beliefs and practices.
Maybe you have heard someone say they stopped praying because it didn’t “work.” What are some of the reasons given for this claim? Today we offer an explanation of how the Christian faith has looked at prayer in order to address this questioning of prayer’s efficacy. We also speak to the importance of defining prayer in relation to a proper understanding of God’s nature.
Jesus’ ministry began and ended with Mary, his mother, at his side. Mary has a prominent place alongside Jesus at the wedding at Cana and at his crucifixion. Today we discuss the significance of Mary’s role in both instances and the wisdom we can learn from her as a mother to Jesus and to the Church.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Newsletter Sign-up for the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
Mary’s life provides us one of the best examples of Christian spirituality. The gospels, which contain the earliest accounts of Mary, detail her dedication to following God’s will. We explore some of the perspectives the Christian tradition has taken on Mary’s role as the exemplary disciple of Jesus.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
For 13 years the Vietnamese Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan was imprisoned for his faith. Nine of those years were in solitary confinement. It was while he was in such a desolate place that he recognized he still possessed two things: his weakness, through which God could give His strength, and Christ’s love, which, even in the most difficult of circumstances, he still could proclaim.
Join us as we discuss just a few of his many insights gained during his time in prison on the virtues of faith, hope, and love, prayer, and God’s providence.
Creeds are included in key aspects of Catholic life and practice, from the liturgy to the rosary. Why has the Church thought it important to include them in the most important aspects of our worship and spiritual life? Join us as we discuss these questions, as well as why some have resisted the idea of creeds.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Stay in touch with us! Join our newsletter: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
What answer should one give to someone who struggles with the same sin or temptation? In this episode, we look at the answers that Augustine, Paul, and Pope Francis give to this question. Augustine and Paul both had experienced the difficulty of struggles with sin and temptation in their own lives, and we look to their insights, as well as those from others within our tradition, to provide direction for how to address this issue.
Where is God when we suffer? What is the purpose of suffering? In this show, we continue our series on the challenges to the faith by discussing the various ways Catholics have made sense of suffering. Catholic Christians have looked to key considerations such as God’s providence, Christian sanctification and the example of Jesus to make sense of their personal suffering.
In these considerations, they have found comfort in knowing that their suffering is not without purpose. Join us this week as we discuss the various considerations and examples Catholics should keep in mind when experiencing times of suffering.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
How should Catholic Christians respond to challenges in the spiritual life? In this brief episode, Mary and Erik talk about the importance of recognizing that the spiritual life is a journey. Join us this week as consider the various considerations to bear in mind when one experiences difficulties in one’s spirituality.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
We are back from our hiatus. In this brief episode, we provide a quick update on our recent relocation and the subjects to be discussed in our future shows.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
How did Thomas Aquinas study the Bible? In this episode, we provide a brief overview of the salient characteristics of Thomas Aquinas’ approach to the study of the biblical text.
We note, among other things, that Aquinas read the Bible by adopting a distinctively Catholic approach, namely, a conversation with the long-standing Eastern and Western tradition of biblical commentary and theological discussion. Thomas was never afraid to pursue answers to the Life Questions by engaging all the available resources at his disposal.
Join us this week as we discuss how Aquinas studied the Bible and what contemporary students of the Catholic heritage can garner from his approach to the biblical text.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
If God is all-knowing and unchangeable, what exactly happens when we are praying to God? Aquinas explains to us the purpose of prayer in the Christian life with five reasons. Join us this week as we discuss Aquinas’ thoughts on the purpose of prayer in light of God’s nature.
How did Thomas Aquinas investigate the Life Questions? In this episode, we discuss Thomas’ approach to the study of God, formally known as theology. Aquinas was committed to the Anselmian method of fides quaerens intellectum (“faith seeking understanding”).
Throughout his writings and his teaching, he used reason as a tool to better understand Christian revelation, expressed most notably in the pages of Scripture. Because of his use of faith and reason, Aquinas provides Catholic Christians a perennial model for engaging the Life Questions.
Whether using the writings of his contemporary Scholastic colleagues or drawing upon the philosophical treatises of non-Christians such as Avicenna or Maimonides, Aquinas was committed to pursuing truth through faith and reason. Join us this week as we discuss Aquinas’ approach and why his example continues to provide a model for engaging any and all truth claims.
Do Christians view money differently? In today's episode, we discuss what Cardinal Robert Bellarmine thought was the proper disposition a Christian should have toward money and how they should use their assets.
What is spiritual vigilance, and what does spiritual vigilance look like in the Christian life? Working from the text of Luke 12:35-37, Bellarmine gives us an important look into the role spiritual vigilance has for the Christian.
For Bellarmine, prayer performs a multitude of purposes, from strengthening trust in God to preparing the soul for death. Alongside cultivating the virtues and participating in the Sacraments, Bellarmine maintains that prayer is among the most important things one can do for a well-lived life. Join us this week as we discuss Bellarmine’s views on the purpose of prayer in the Christian life.
Who was Robert Bellarmine? Robert Bellarmine is a doctor of the Catholic Church, who wrote extensively in defense of the Catholic faith during the late sixteenth century. In this brief episode, we provide an overview of Bellarmine’s life (1542-1621) and work as a teacher, cardinal and spiritual guide.
We discuss the brief context of his early life and also the historical background for his magnum opus, The Controversies of the Christian Faith (1586-1593). We conclude by talking about his spiritual writings and his status as the most well-known Catholic author by non-Catholic readers over the past 400 years. Join us this week as we prepare for a series of spiritual readings on prayer and the Christian life.
In this episode, we offer reflections on the overall structure and significance of Bonaventure's Tree of Life.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
In the Final Prayer of the Tree of Life, Bonaventure helps his audience address the question: how does one become crucified with Christ? The answer to this question is the Holy Spirit. In addition to having an acute understanding of Christ’s Paschal mystery, the Christian should pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
According to Bonaventure and the medieval Christian tradition, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are as follows: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Join us this week as we discuss Bonaventure’s understanding of the Spirit’s work in the life of the Christian.
In the Twelfth Fruit, Bonaventure discusses the nature of Christ’s kingdom. Following the various pieces of information provided throughout the Scriptures, Bonaventure paints a picture of Christ’s eternal reign as one of justice, peace and charity. Join us in this our penultimate episode on the Bonaventure’s Tree of Life.
In the Eleventh Fruit, Bonaventure discusses Christ’s future role as judge of all human beings and as the bridegroom of the Church. Following the tradition of Augustine and the Western Church, Bonaventure paints a picture of Christ’s work as judge of all humanity. He works heavily from the Old and New Testament texts which affirm God’s eschatological role as judge. Bonaventure rounds out his portrayal of Jesus as not only merciful savior but also just judge.
In addition, Bonaventure echoes the Gospels in presenting Jesus as the bridegroom of the Church. Christ will greet the Church, which is the saints, into eternal paradise and communion with himself. These statements about Christ’s role as judge are intended to inspire diligence in the hearts of the faithful as they make their journey toward heaven or to await, like the wise virgins, the advent of their bridegroom.
Join us this week as we continue to our series on Bonaventure’s Tree of Life.
In the Tenth Fruit, Bonaventure reflects on Christ’s Ascension into heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit among the early leaders of the Church. Bonaventure finds in the post-Resurrection actions of Jesus the triumphal leading of the saints who had died before His Passion into heaven, an event not often reflected upon in the post-Easter season. The Seraphic Doctor also reflects on the descent of the Spirit among the Apostles, the women who Jesus and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. He identifies the Spirit as the one who works in the Church for the edification of the Body of the Church. Join us this week as we continue our look at Bonaventure’s Tree of Life.
Join us this week as we talk more fully about Bonaventure’s take on the sacrificial character of Christ death on the cross and the events surrounding his burial.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode35
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Spirituality Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
# Title
Music provided by Pond5.
In the Ninth Fruit, Bonaventure discusses Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Taking as his point of departure the Apostle’s Creed and the various statements from the Gospels, the Pauline and Catholic Epistles, Bonaventure weaves together a theological perspective on Christ’s resurrection. For Bonaventure the resurrection of Christ from the dead was a demonstration of his divinity in that unlike any other person in human history, Christ brought Himself back to life from the dead. The resurrection is also the basis of the Christian’s hope. For in Christ’s resurrection, those who believe find a template for their own resurrection after death. Join us this week as discuss Bonaventure’s treatment of the full implications of Christ’s resurrection from the dead for the members of His Body.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode34
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Spirituality Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
In the Eighth Fruit, St. Bonaventure discusses the final moments of Jesus on the cross. Bonaventure seeks to paint a vivid image of Christ’s death with the darkening of the earth (most likely an instance of a solar eclipse) and the rending of the temple veil from top to bottom, the earth quake and the opening of the tombs.
Throughout this fruit, Bonaventure underscores the sacrificial character of Christ’s death on the cross. Drawing on theological concepts in the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Pauline Epistles and the Gospels, Bonaventure seeks to exalt the greatness of Jesus by emphasizing the expiatory character of his death on the cross. Bonaventure describes Jesus as the High Priest who offered his own life for the sins of the people. We know how this is in stark contrast to the numerous sacrifices offered under the old law. In those sacrifices, none of the priests or even the high priests ever offered themselves as the expiatory victim. Instead, the victims of the sacrifice were usually animals. Bonaventure sees in the self-sacrifice of Jesus further grounds for the Christian’s complete devotion to Jesus.
Like other scholastic theologians, Bonaventure connects the death of Jesus to the sacraments of the old law, that is, the sacrificial and ceremonial rites enjoined in the Torah. Bonaventure finds in the death of Jesus the source of the efficacy of the sacraments of the new law. Like Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure believes that each of the Seven Sacraments derive their power from Christ’s death on cross. Like early Christian authors, he perceives in the pouring forth of water and blood from the side of Jesus the sources of the power bestowed upon the sacraments of the Church. In Bonaventure’s thinking, the sacraments do not derive their efficacy from the good intentions of the Christian or the integrity of their life but rather from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Lastly, Bonaventure also mentions the intense devotion of the disciples left remaining at the foot of the cross. In addition to mentioning Mary the Mother of Jesus, Bonaventure also draws attention to Mary Magdalene. He notes that in contrast to the other disciples who fled the scene, Mary was intensely devoted to Jesus as shown in her desire to stay as close to Jesus as possible after the crucifixion. He notes that despite the dangers posed by the darkness of the night and the cruelty of Jesus’ persecutors (both Roman and some of the Jewish leadership), Mary Magdalene sought to go to Jesus’ tomb in order to anoint his body for burial. Bonaventure’ objective in mentioning the intensity of the Magdalene’s devotion as well as the other disciples of the foot of the cross is to underscore the type of devotion which should characterize the readers or listeners of this text. By fully realizing the greatness of the devotion shown by the women who follow Jesus, despite the personal dangers to their own safety, Bonaventure supposes, readers can be inspired to mimic their devotion to Jesus, even though separated from these historical events by hundreds of years.
Join us this week as we talk more fully about Bonaventure’s take on the sacrificial character of Christ death on the cross and the events surrounding his burial.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritageshow.com/episode33
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Spirituality Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
# Title
Music provided by Pond5.
In the Seventh Fruit, Bonaventure reflects upon the sentencing of Jesus to death by Pontius Pilate, his torture and execution on the cross. He again sets in stark contrast the impiety of Jesus’ persecutors with his humility, mercy and grace. Bonaventure seeks to portray yet again for his audience, as promised in his prologue, the nature of a life crucified with Christ. In this fruit, Bonaventure seeks to underscore the humility of Christ. Rather than vindicating himself against his persecutors, Jesus allowed them to take his life. The purpose of the sacrifice was ultimately the salvation of humanity. Within the sufferings of Christ, Bonaventure finds spiritual healing for all who belong to Christ. In addition to examining the sufferings of Jesus, Bonaventure likewise seeks to examine the last statements of Jesus from the cross from his declaration of his thirst to the entrusting of his mother to the care of his beloved disciple. In each moment, Bonaventure seeks to find the deeper significance of each moment in the last hours of Christ’s earthly life. Join us this week as we explore the passion of Christ as seen through Bonaventure’s reading of the Gospels.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritageshow.com/episode32
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Spirituality Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Spirituality Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
In the Sixth Fruit, Bonaventure looks at the final hours of Jesus’ life, specifically the events surrounding Jesus’ trials before Herod and Pilate. He sets in stark contrast the impiety of Jesus’ persecutors with his humility, mercy and grace. Bonaventure seeks to portray again for his audience, as promised in his prologue, the nature of the crucified life. During each of these ordeals from the denial by his chief disciple Peter, to the mockery at the hands of those who spat in his face to the gruesome punishment dished out at the scorching at the pillar, Bonaventure portrays Jesus Christ as one who faithfully endured punishment because he was first and foremost committed to the mission given to him by his father and secondly firmly committed to offering the sacrifice of himself for the sins of humanity. In this detailed description, which mirrors a well-done movie, Bonaventure paints in the minds of his Franciscan novitiate readers a vivid account of what exactly transpired during the trials of Jesus. Bonaventure takes pains at presenting a precise and accurate account of those events precisely to lead the hearer/reader into a deeper love for Jesus Christ. Through a more acute understanding of who Christ was and what he did during his life, passion and death, Bonaventure believed, the Christian could more accurately perceive in their minds the grandeur, grace, mercy and love of Jesus Christ. A deep awareness of the Paschal mystery, Bonaventure believed, was essential for having the mindset taken on by Paul who claimed that he was crucified with Christ (Gal 2:19). Join us this week as we go into detail about the trials of Jesus as understood and presented by Bonaventure, the Seraphic Doctor.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritageshow.com/episode31
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
In the fifth fruit, Bonaventure focuses our attention on Jesus’ confidence in his final trials. Focusing on the betrayal by Judas to his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, Bonaventure shows his readers how Jesus operated with a deep understanding of God’s providence. In light of this overarching perspective, Jesus treated Judas with compassion and approached his captors with calm and conviction. Throughout this discussion, Bonaventure continually turns the eyes of the reader toward perceiving the intense compassion which Jesus showed toward those were hostile toward his enemies, even his closest enemy, namely, Judas. Bonaventure tries to get the reader to perceive the greatness of God’s mercy to all people, even to the most hardened of sinners like Judas. Join us this week as we discuss Bonaventure’s spiritual reflections on the betrayal of Jesus and his arrest in Gethsemane.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritageshow.com/episode30
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
Music provided by Pond5.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to
https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode29
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Spirituality Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
Music provided by Pond5.
In the third fruit, Bonaventure focuses our attention on the Loftiness of Jesus Christ’s Power. From Christ’s baptism to his transfiguration, Bonaventure takes the reader across the life of Christ to help focus the reader’s attention on Christ’s power. The purpose of narrating each of these events which come primarily from the ministry of Jesus, is to demonstrate to the readers the salvific power to be found in the sacraments of the Catholic Church, the door to which, as Bonaventure claims, is the sacrament of baptism. Bonaventure tries to help Christians realize that Christ’s power is mediated to Christians via sacramental signs, known as the Seven Sacraments and through earnest prayer. Join us this week as we discuss Bonaventure’s perception of Christ’s power and how that power benefits Christians in their spiritual life.
To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritageshow.com/episode28
Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.
The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors. Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at feedback@catholicheritageshow.com or 1-909-575-8035.
Newsletter Sign-up for the CH Show To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/
To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com
Follow the Catholic Heritage Show on Social Media: The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co
The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality
YouTube Channel
Review our Podcast iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)
How to Connect with Us Comment on the show below
Ask a Question via Speakpipe
Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035
Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)
# Title
Music provided by Pond5.
What was one of the salient characteristics of Christ's life? Bonaventure points to Christ's humility as the guiding principle for all his actions. In his treatment of the second fruit, Bonaventure argues that humility is the root and the guardian of all the virtues. In his discussion of the Second Fruit, Bonaventure examines the early life of Christ from his birth to his discovery in the Temple by his parents Mary and Joseph (Lk 2). At every turn, Bonaventure finds the humility of Christ illustrated in his words and deeds. Join us, this week as we discuss the humility shown through Christ's life.
To provide feedback to this episode, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode27
What are Christ's pre-incarnate origins? In this episode, we examine Bonaventure's high Christology, which forms the basis of his theological reflection on Jesus Christ's two natures (human and divine) in his singular and divine person. Join us this week, we discuss how Bonaventure utilized the Christology of the first four ecumenical councils to ground his spiritual reflection on Christ and his bearing on the spiritual life.
To provide feedback to this episode, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode26
For Bonaventure, what was the Tree of Life spoken of in Revelation 22? In this episode, we review not only Bonaventure's answer to this question, but we also discuss his take on the key elements to a fruitful spiritual life. We review his thoughts about keeping Jesus Christ and his passion in the forefront of one's mind as the basis of becoming conformed perfectly to Jesus Christ, the Savior of all humankind. Join us this week as we review Bonaventure's spiritual insights on conformity to Christ through meditation on his life, labor, love and suffering on one's behalf.
To provide feedback to this episode, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode25
Bonaventure was a prolific medieval theologian at the university of Paris and the Master General of the Franciscan order. In this episode, we briefly review his life and work in order to provide some context for our upcoming episodes on the Bonaventure's writings.
To provide feedback to this episode, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode24